French Scallops Recipes

INA GARTEN'S MAKE-AHEAD COQUILLES ST.-JACQUES

Steps:

• Set a saucepan over medium heat, and melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in it. When it foams, add the flour, and cook for approximately 4 minutes, whisking constantly. Add the stock, and whisk again, until it is smooth and thick. Add the cream, curry powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring the sauce just to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Put 3 tablespoons butter in a large sauté pan set over medium heat. When it melts and foams, add the shallots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are clear and tender, approximately 5 minutes. Add the sliced mushroom caps, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until they have released their liquid and are just starting to brown. Add the brandy or Cognac, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the alcohol has mostly evaporated. Add a teaspoon of salt to the mixture and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and stir again to combine. Add mushroom mixture to the cream sauce, and set aside.
• Combine the bread crumbs, parsley and Gruyère in a large bowl, stir to combine, then moisten the mixture with the olive oil, stirring again to combine.
• Use last tablespoon of butter to grease 6 1 1/2-cup gratin dishes. Divide the scallops evenly among them and top with equal amounts of the cream and mushroom sauce. Top each gratin dish with a handful or two of the bread-crumb mixture. Place dishes on a sheet tray, cover gently with foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to a day.
• When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400. Remove cover from sheet tray, and place in the oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and bubbling and the scallops are cooked through.

SCALLOPS COQUILLES ST. JACQUES

Steps:

• Blot scallops with paper towel. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil. Sear scallops on both sides (approximately 1-2 minutes each side). Transfer to a plate.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in skillet. Add mushrooms and saute until they begin to brown and soften. Approximately 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium, add shallots and garlic. Continue to cook until tender. Season with salt/pepper.
• Add remaining butter. Sprinkle flour over mushroom mixture. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
• De-glaze skillet with wine. Stirring to loosen fond from bottom of skillet.
• Stir in cream and thyme and bring to a simmer.
• Preheat broiler to high.
• Into 4 shallow stoneware dishes, equally divide half of mushroom mixture between dishes. Place 3 scallops into each dish. Equally divide remaining mushroom mixture between dishes. Sprinkle each dish with 1/4 of cheese each.
• Broil until the cheese is browned and bubbling. 2-3 minutes.

CLASSIC FRENCH COQUILLES SAINT-JACQUES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, curry powder, and cayenne pepper. Add scallops to bowl and toss until thoroughly coated in spiced flour mixture.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add scallops to butter and sauté, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer scallops to a plate and cover to keep warm.
• Add mushrooms and onions to skillet and sauté, frequently stirring, over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, until they start to turn light brown.
• Add white wine to pan and scrape bottom of pan with a spatula to get all the brown bits off pan and into sauce. Reduce heat slightly and simmer until sauce has reduced by half.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Cognac and scallops.
• Preheat oven broiler. Divide scallop and sauce mixture between six scallop shells or small ovenproof serving dishes.
• Mix bread crumbs, melted butter, and Gruyère cheese; divide and spoon mixture evenly over each dish of scallops. Place dishes about 5 to 6 inches from broiler and cook until scallop mixture is hot, bubbly, and browned on top. Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve immediately.

FRENCH SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Mix together four, salt and pepper. Coat scallops with flour mixture.
• Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add scallops and cook mixture 4 to 5 minutes, turning over in pan until scallops are golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon. Keep warm.
• Lower heat. Add butter. When melted, add garlic and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Cook until golden brown.
• Pour over scallops. Sprinkle with parsley.
• Yields 3 to 4 servings.

SCALLOPS PROVENCAL

Steps:

• If you're using bay scallops, keep them whole. If you're using sea scallops, cut each 1 in half horizontally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss with flour, and shake off the excess.
• In a very large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over high heat until sizzling and add the scallops in 1 layer. Lower the heat to medium and allow the scallops to brown lightly on 1 side without moving them, then turn and brown lightly on the other side. This should take 3 to 4 minutes, total. Melt the rest of the butter in the pan with the scallops, then add the shallots, garlic, and parsley and saute for 2 more minutes, tossing the seasonings with the scallops. Add the wine, cook for 1 minute, and taste for seasoning. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice.