SCALLOPS WITH MASHED POTATOES AND TARRAGON SAUCE

Steps:

• Place potatoes in large pot.
• Cover with cold water.
• Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to boil over high heat.
• Boil until potatoes are tender when pierced with skewer, about 8 minutes.
• Drain. Return to pot.
• Using potato masher, mash potatoes.
• Mash in 1/4 cup butter.
• Stir in 2/3 cup milk.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• (Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Before serving, stir over medium heat until heated through, adding more milk by tablespoonfuls if dry.)
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper.
• Add scallops; sauté until just opaque in center, about 2 minutes per side.
• Transfer to plate; tent with foil. Reserve juices in skillet.
• Place wine and shallots in small saucepan.
• Simmer over medium heat until reduced to glaze, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in cream; simmer 1 minute.
• Gradually whisk in remaining 1/4 cup butter.
• Stir in reserved pan juices.
• Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons tarragon.
• Season tarragon sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Stir remaining 1/4 cup tarragon into warm mashed potatoes.
• Divide potatoes among 4 shallow bowls.
• Place scallops atop mashed potatoes.
• Drizzle with tarragon sauce and serve.