Scallops Gratinée
Scallops Gratinée
Author:
Erin Harris www.thecheesepoet.ca @thecheesepoet
Serves: 6
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Scallops are coveted for their delicate, sweet briny taste, and firm yet tender texture. It’s their clean ocean flavor that, when gratinéed with savory, allium-rich Comté cheese, makes for a sumptuous pairing. This recipe takes its cues from the classic dish Coquilles St. Jacques popularized in the 1950’s, and makes it approachable for today – and, reminds us that good food never goes out of style! Enjoy this dish as an appetizer or main course, with a side of fresh greens.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. button mushrooms, finely minced
- 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
- 1 small leek, green removed, white cleaned and finely minced
- 2 tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tbsp. fresh tarragon, minced
- ½ cup dry sherry
- 1 fresh bay leaf
- 6 large scallops, abductor muscle removed, and patted dry
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- ⅓ cup heavy cream or whipping cream
- 1 tbsp. flour
- ½ tsp. fresh lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- ⅔ cup grated 6-12 month aged Comté cheese
- 6 - 6” scallop shells for serving
Instructions
- In a small sauté pan, heat 4 tbsp. unsalted butter and add the mushrooms and ½ of the leeks. Cook over medium low heat until the mixture forms a loose paste, about 20 minutes. Add the parsley and tarragon, and season the mixture with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes longer. You’ll know it’s done when most of the moisture from the mushrooms has evaporated. Divide the mixture into the bottom of the scallop shells forming a base for the scallops to sit on.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the sherry, remaining leeks, bay leaf, and 2 tbsp water, and simmer until reduced by half. Strain the liquid and set aside, discarding the bay and leeks.
- In a small sauté pan, add 1 tbsp. butter and flour and make a roux, cooking over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the reduced sherry mixture and 35% cream, and whisk to combine. Cook, simmering, for about 7 minutes, or until fully thickened and the flour has been cooked out. Season with salt and pepper, and add the lemon juice. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- In a medium sauté pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp. butter and olive oil, and bring to medium high heat. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, and place in the pan to sear. Cook on each side for 2 minutes and transfer the seared scallops to the prepared scallop shells, placing them on top of the mushroom mixture.
- Spoon 2 tbsp of the cream mixture on top of each scallop, and top with the grated Comté cheese, dividing the cheese evenly.
- Place the scallops under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and lightly browned, and the scallop is fully warmed through.
- Serve with a salad of fresh greens and herbs, and some crusty bread.
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