Gourmet Scallops

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute until tender but not brown, about 20 minutes. Add the Champagne and boil until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 4 minutes.

Transfer leek mixture to a strainer set over a bowl, press on leeks to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer leeks to small bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper. Return liquid to same skillet, add cream and boil until reduced to 3/4 cup about 4 minutes. Transfer sauce to bowl and cool 1 hour.

Melt remaining butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. In batches, add scallops to skillet and saute until just cooked through and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side for each batch. Transfer to plate.

Spoon leeks in small mounds around rim of each plate, spacing equally. Top each mound with 1 scallop. Stir caviar and tarragon into sauce, spoon sauce into center of each plate and serve.