Coquille St. Jacques (Scallops)

Submitted by Alan Leonetti

"This is one of my favorites and it is the MOST AUTHENTIC RECIPE! Other recipes that omit some of the ingredients, such as the heavy cream, are not the true recipe for this wonderful tasting dish. Also, you must serve it in shells or ramekins & not over a bed of rice. It's just as good as other recipes for this dish that require many more steps. It's YUMMY! If you have any questions e-mail me: [e-mail]"

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 lb large scallop (sliced 2 cups)
• 3⁄4 cup dry white wine or 3/4 cup vermouth
• 2 cups fresh mushrooms (sliced)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons shallots (minced) or 2 tablespoons scallions (minced)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 3⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 egg yolks
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons grated swiss cheese
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• paprika

directions

1. Place scallops in saucepan with wine or vermouth, mushrooms, seasonings & herbs.
2. Add water, if necessary, to almost cover ingredients.
3. Bring to simmer & then cover pan & simmer slowly for 5 minutes.
4. Remove scallops & mushrooms & place into a bowl.
5. Rapidly boil down the cooking liquid until reduced to the amount of 1 cup.
6. Melt 3 tbsp of butter in a new pan& stir in the flour until smooth.
7. Cook slowly for 2 minutes without browning.
8. Remove from heat & beat in the scallop cooking liquid.
9. Stir with whip over medium heat until sauce thickens.
10. Thin out with milk.
11. Blend egg yolks in a bowl with half of the heavy cream.
12. Beat in the hot sauce driblets.
13. Return to the pan & stir over medium heat until sauce comes to a slight boil.
14. Thin out, as necessary, with more cream or milk.
15. Carefully correct seasoning & add lemon juice & sugar if needed.
16. Fold 2/3 of sauce into the scallops & mushrooms & spoon into lightly buttered large shells or individual ramekins (round baking bowls).
17. Spoon on the remaining sauce & sprinkle with the cheese.
18. Top with bread crumbs & place little dabs of butter on top.
19. Then sprinkle with paprika.
20. Place into broiler until lightly browned & serve with crusty bread if desired.

Reviews

[Maxiimom1]

Merci Lyle, I used to make this recipe often; so knew it by heart; but since I like it rich and fattening;, have not for a while , so had to revert to Recipezaar,,,errr, food.com. Loved your recipe,, but of course used what I had on hand. Fresh Digby Scallops from the bay of Fundy are huge and sweet. I used some mozza and cream cheeze in the sauce and the fresh juice in the bag of scallops, and I had some whipping cream and I use Nutmeg and garlic as the spices with ground pepper> My boyfriend has added it to the next dinner party. Fast and furious!

 

[Chef Lyle]

This is a wonderful dish, creamy, smooth and délicieux (delicious). I prepared it for my Love’s Birthday Dinner. I did leave the Scallops whole rather than slice them simply because I love the texture of fresh whole scallops, especially when I pick them up from the fish monger just hours before preparing. I also decide to use stock rather than water for flavor sake because I needed extra liquid to cover because I chose to leave the scallops whole, but other than that I left the recipe in tact. The reduction of the scallop sauce really concentrated the flavors and the lemon added just the right amount of fresh citrus flavor to the veloute. I served this with a side of littleneck clams, with drawn garlic butter and cocktail sauce and Julia Loved it. And so did the fuzzy babies. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.

 

[Julie Bs Hive]

Alan-it isn't broken, I didn't fix it. Used bay scallops per hubby's request...delicious!

 

[Deepfreeze-27]

We made this last week & it was fabulous. I had never tried scallops before, so this was a great first time. I was a little worried that this dish may be complicated to make, but we found it fairly simple to follow the steps. Will definitely make this again. We served this with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes.

 

[Lise in Indiana]

My MIL loves scallops but can't cook much for herself these days. This morning, I made 1/2 a recipe (up to the broiling step) and put it in two ramekins in her fridge. All she had to do was pop a ramekin in the microwave for 30 seconds, to take off the chill, and broil it till brown and bubbly. Tonight,she called and said the scallops were wonderful, the sauce perfectly seasoned and delicious! I agree - I've made this before for my family to rave reviews, but this was the first time I tried to make it ahead of time. Sounds like it can be done successfully. Thanks, Alan, for a great recipe!