Seafood Pad Thai with Seared Scallops

 

## 1. Seafood Pad Thai with Seared Scallops

This dish elevates the classic street-food noodle into a fine-dining centerpiece by focusing on perfectly seared proteins and a "nested" presentation.

### **The Seafood & Glaze**

* **The Protein:** 4 large sea scallops, 6 jumbo shrimp, and calamari rings.

* **The Sear:** Pat scallops dry and sear in a smoking hot pan with neutral oil for **90 seconds** per side until a golden crust forms.

* **The Sauce:** Whisk together 3 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 2 tbsp palm sugar. Toss with wide rice noodles until they are glossy and deep mahogany.

### **Plating the "Nest"**

* **Center:** Twirl the noodles into a high, tight mound using a carving fork.

* **Crown:** Arrange the shrimp at the very top, with scallops and calamari rings tucked into the sides of the "nest."

* **The Frame:** Place a small, neat pile of crushed peanuts and a single lime wedge on the side of a matte black plate to provide contrast.

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## 2. Lemongrass-Chili Chicken on Mango Silk

As seen in the image, this dish relies on the visual contrast between the charred, sticky chicken and the vibrant, smooth purée.

### **The "Mango Silk" Purée**

* **Ingredients:** 1 ripe Ataulfo mango, juice of 1 lime, and 1 tsp rice vinegar.

* **Method:** Blend until perfectly smooth and pass through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all fibers for a professional finish.

* **The Swipe:** Place a large dollop on a slate board and use a spoon to "swoosh" it in a clean, straight line.

### **The Caramelized Chicken**

* **The Marinade:** 2 tbsp minced lemongrass, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp dark soy sauce for that deep, rich color.

* **The Finish:** Sear chicken medallions over high heat until the honey creates a dark, sticky glaze.

* **The Details:** Arrange chicken along the mango line. Top with black sesame seeds, paper-thin chili rings, and micro-cilantro. Finish with two crispy wonton strips leaned against each other for architectural height.

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### Key Visual Differences

| Feature | Seafood Pad Thai | Lemongrass Chicken |

| --- | --- | --- |

| **Vessel** | Deep Matte Black Plate | Flat Charcoal Slate |

| **Shape** | Vertical "Nest" | Horizontal Line |

| **Primary Color** | Earthy Brown & Orange | Vibrant Yellow & Deep Red |

| **Garnish Style** | Sectioned Clusters | Precise Linear Toppings |