Curried Scallops with Spinach

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1/2 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1 cup light cream or half-and-half
2 cups shredded spinach (about 3 ounces spinach leaves)
2 pounds sea scallops **

Directions

In a large frying pan, melt the butter over moderately low heat. Add the onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
Transfer the onion mixture to a blender and add the tomato paste, broth, and cream. Puree until smooth. Return the sauce to the pan.
Bring the curry sauce just to a simmer. Stir in the spinach and scallops. Simmer, covered, until the scallops are just done, 5 to 7 minutes.

** Fish Alternatives Shelled medium shrimp would be delicious simmered in the curry sauce. You can also use bay scallops instead of the larger sea scallops, in which case reduce the cooking time to three minutes.