Tiffany RanYesterday, Keeman Wong described his cinematic inspiration for his restaurant Bako, a blending of east and west in the music, decor, cocktails, and food. Today, he shares a recipe from their menu that takes the best of his two worlds, fresh seafood and produce from the Northwest and a traditional Cantonese dish, the combination of the two is a Bako signature. The dish, which uses earthy tea leaves, roots, crisp greens, savory Chinese sausage, and plump scallops, defies your average surf and turf. “I picked this dish as the one to feature because I feel it really represents what we’re trying to achieve at Bako,” said Wong, “Tea Smoked Scallops is a traditional Cantonese dish that here, is done in a really updated way.”Tea Smoked Scallops with Pea Vines and Parsnip Puree3 appetizer-sized servings

Tea Smoked Scallops9 scallops (use 3 per serving)1/4 cups jasmine rice1/4 cups lapsang souchong tea leaves1 cinnamon stick2 large pieces of dried orange peelPat the scallops dry and mix the dry ingredients together in a sauce pan (or wok) that will fit a small metal colander. Toast the dry mixture on medium high heat until it starts producing consistent amount of smoke. Place scallops in metal colander over the sauce pan. Cover colander and saucepan with foil, keeping the smoke in, for 1 minute. Remove scallops from pan and refrigerate until ready to use.

Parsnip Puree4 cups water3 parsnips peeled and cut into even 2 inch chunks2 cloves garlic2 Tbsp ginger chopped3 Tbsp butterSalt, white pepper, lemon juice to taste

Add parsnips, garlic and ginger to water in a pot. Bring it to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until parsnips are soft. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of water. Put parsnips in blender, add the butter and blend until thick and creamy. Blend on high for 3 minutes, adding small amounts of reserved water to achieve a smooth consistency. After the mixture is blended, season with salt, white pepper and lemon juice to taste.

Sauteed Pea Vines1/2 link Chinese sausage (lap cheong), diced small1/4 cup quartered mushrooms1/4 cup sugar snap peas1 c pea vinesSteam Chinese sausage for about 6-8 minutes until plump then remove and cut into small cubes. In the pan, add butter and sautee Chinese sausage and mushrooms, then add sugar snap peas and pea vines until pea vines are wilted.

To serve:In separate pan, sear scallops in heated pan on high with 2 tsp oil. Reduce heat to medium and cook scallops on one side until golden brown on one side (about 3-4 minutes depending on size). Be careful not to overcook them. Drain oil then turn over scallops, remove pan from heat and keep scallops warm in pan while you sautee the pea vines.

Dab 3 dollops of parsnip puree, about 1 Tbsp each, in an evenly spaced row on a rectangular plate. Place 1 scallop on top of puree, arrange sauteed pea vines, then mushrooms and sugar snap peas on plate. Scatter Chinese sausage cubes on top of greens. Sprinkle with finishing salt.