Asparagus-and-Mint Flan With Poached Scallops and Shrimp

Preparation

1. Step 1

   For the flan, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Steam the asparagus spears until soft, about 5 to 6 minutes. Place in a food processor and add the cream. Process until smooth. Add the yogurt cheese. Process until smooth, stopping once to scrape the sides of the bowl. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and stir in the mint. Whisk in the eggs, salt and pepper.

2. Step 2

   Spray 4 6-ounce ramekins with vegetable oil. Divide the mixture among the ramekins. Place in a roasting pan and pour in enough boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake until flan is set, about 30 minutes. Remove the ramekins from the pan and let cool slightly.

3. Step 3

   Meanwhile, for the sauce and shellfish, heat the ½ teaspoon olive oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute. Add the scallops and cook until opaque, about 1 minute longer. With a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp and scallops from the pan. Peel the shrimp and reserve the shells. Add the wine to the pan and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, to deglaze the pan. Add tomato, water and shrimp shells. Simmer for 15 minutes. Pass sauce through a fine mesh sieve. Place in a clean pan. Add the cream, bring to a boil and cook until sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Set aside.

4. Step 4

   Heat the 1 teaspoon olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus tips and the mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.

5. Step 5

   To assemble, run a knife inside the rim of each ramekin to loosen. Invert 1 flan onto each of 4 plates. Warm the sauce over low heat and toss in the shrimp and scallops. Divide among the plates, placing the mixture beside the flans. Place the asparagus tips and mushrooms over and around each flan. Serve immediately.