Dry scallops are essential ? At the store, ask for dry sea scallops, which means that they haven?t been soaked in a sodium solution. The solution whitens and plumps the scallops, but when you cook them, all that liquid leaches out, making it impossible to achieve a good sear.

Get the pan and cooking fat hot ? Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat for a minute or so; then add the fat and let it heat up. If you?re using oil, it?s ready when a drop of liquid sizzles as it hits the hot oil. If you?re using oil and butter, wait until the butter stops foaming.

Don?t crowd the pan ? There should be enough room between the scallops so that they sizzle rather than steam?that?s the only way you?ll get a good crust. If your pan isn?t big enough to hold the scallops without crowding, sear them in batches.

Scallops only need a few minutes per side to get nicely browned. They?re done when they feel barely firm to the touch, and when you cut into one, it should be faintly opalescent. Don?t overcook them or they?ll be dry and rubbery.

Transfer the seared scallops to a platter and keep warm while making a quick pan sauce.

Combine cream, mustard and wasabi. Ingredient amounts will vary with taste. Stir constantly over medium heat until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

Presentation:

Arrange individual portions of greens on large platter. Place slices of portobello mushroom on top. Arrange 3-4 scallops on top (heat of scallops will gently ''cook'' mushrooms. Drizzle with sauce. Sprinkle lightly with sel de mer.