This Week: Join Our Open House Event in NY!

Scallop Crudo, Grape, Nasturtium Oil and “Caviar” of Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI

Chef Barry's Scallop Crudo and Balsamic "Caviar"

Director of Research and Development Barry Tonkinson showcases simple and fresh ingredients with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.

Institute of Culinary Education chefs are developing recipes with Italy's authentic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. Here, Chef Barry uses the ingredient to add texture and acidity to a seafood dish.

By Barry Tonkinson — VP of Culinary Operations

Chef Barry Tonkinson is ICE's vice president of culinary operations. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Chef Barry matriculated in English literature, media studies and sociology at Backwell Sixth Form College in Bristol, followed by culinary arts at Westminster Kingsway College in London. After graduation, he worked at multiple Michelin-starred restaurants in England before relocating to the U.S. and developing a catering company in Connecticut. At ICE, he implemented the school's first fermentation lab and embraces a modernist approach to savory cooking in the culinary technology lab.

March 27, 2019

This dish uses simple and fresh ingredients and showcases them at their best. I used fresh scallops, very finely sliced; a peppery nasturtium oil made with nasturtium leaves; red grapes for sweetness; and finally, the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena pearls to finish with acidity and a beautiful texture. The creamy balsamic really pops in the mouth.

Scallop Crudo, Grape, Nasturtium Oil and “Caviar” of Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI

Recipe

Scallop Crudo, Grape, Nasturtium Oil and “Caviar” of Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI

Ingredients

For the scallops:

1 large scallop cleaned, very finely sliced

For the nasturtium oil:

40 grams nasturtium leaves, cleaned
80 grams grapeseed oil
Salt

For the balsamic “caviar”:

100 grams Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI
8.3 grams calcium lactate
2.5 grams sodium alginate
500 grams water

To finish:

6 red grapes, sliced into discs
5 nasturtium leaves
3 nasturtium flowers
1 pinch Maldon sea salt

Directions

Remove the scallop from the shell; remove roe and attached muscle. Clean and dry well. Slice scallop very finely.
Prepare nasturtium leaves, removing stalks. Discard any discolored leaves. Blanch in salted water for 15 seconds and immediately plunge into iced water. Drain leaves and squeeze gently, removing excess water. Place in a VitaPrep and add grapeseed oil along with a small amount of salt.
Blend on high until almost completely pureed, around 30 seconds. Remove and place contents into a small saucepan.
Prepare a chinois inside a metal container over iced water. Place a double layer of cheesecloth inside chinois. Heat nasturtium mixture on high (preferably induction) and allow the oil to split. The oil should fry from the outside in. Once it is frying in the center, remove and quickly transfer into cheesecloth-lined chinois. Leave to cool.
For the balsamic “caviar,” gently heat Balsamic Vinegar of Modena in a small saucepan until warm. Add calcium lactate and blend with immersion blender until incorporated, leave to cool. Using an immersion blender, blend water and sodium alginate until dispersed fully. Leave to hydrate for at least 1 hour.
Add cooled balsamic mixture to a syringe or squeeze bottle. Drop mixture into prepared alginate bath, 4 inches from the alginate water mixture. Leave to set for around 1 minute.
Remove pearls from the alginate bath using a slotted spoon and place into a container of fresh water to stop the spherification process. Drain pearls onto towel for plating.
Place the scallop slices on the base of the plate, brush with nasturtium oil and season well with Maldon sea salt. Place grape slices around the edge of the scallops. Top with balsamic “caviar,” and dress with nasturtium leaves and flowers.

Explore more Balsamic Vinegar of Modena recipes, and start your own research in ICE's Culinary Arts program.