For something fancy, this is pretty easy to make. It’s one of the world’s most delicious dishes. It’s rich and decadent, and yet still light.
Coquilles Saint Jacques
WRITTEN BY:
Eileen
SERVES:
4
NUTRITION:
Rich Source of Protein & Calories
DIFFICULTY
Medium
TIME
40 minutes
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Method
1.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; saute shallots in the hot butter until translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir mushrooms, salt, and black pepper into shallots. Turn heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
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2.
Pour white wine over mushroom mixture, dissolving any browned bits of food on bottom of skillet into wine; bring to a simmer. Gently place scallops into wine and poach in the mushroom mixture until barely firm, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer scallops to a bowl. Strain mushroom mixture into another bowl, reserving mushrooms and cooking liquid separately. Return strained liquid to skillet, pour in any accumulated juices from scallops, and stir in cream. Bring to a boil and cook until cream sauce is reduced by about half, about 10 minutes. Stir often. Turn off heat and let mixture cool for 1 minute.
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3.
Quickly whisk egg yolk into cream sauce until combined. Transfer skillet to a work surface (such as a heatproof countertop or cutting board) and stir cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons tarragon, and lemon zest into a sauce.
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4.
Divide mushroom mixture into scallop shells, spreading mushrooms out to cover bottoms of shells; place about 3 scallops onto each portion. Spoon cream sauce over scallops to coat; let sauce drizzle down into mushrooms. Sprinkle lightly with Gruyere cheese and paprika or cayenne.
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5.
Turn oven's broiler to high. Slightly crinkle a large sheet of aluminum foil and place it onto a baking sheet. Place filled shells onto foil and press lightly to help them stay level.
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6.
Broil about 10 inches from the heat source until sauce is bubbling and cheese is lightly browned for 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to serving plates lined with napkins to prevent shells from tipping; garnish each portion with 2 crossed tarragon leaves.
Shopping List
Ingredients
1.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2.
½ cup diced shallots
3.
½ pound white button mushrooms, sliced
4.
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
5.
1 cup white wine
6.
1 pound sea scallops
7.
½ cup heavy whipping cream
8.
1 egg yolk
9.
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
10.
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon
11.
1 teaspoon lemon zest
12.
4 large oven-safe scallop shells
13.
¼ cup shredded Gruyere cheese
14.
1 pinch paprika
15.
8 fresh tarragon leaves
