Saffron Scallop Gratin Food

SCALLOP GRATIN WITH SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Make the breadcrumb topping: In a bowl, combine the butter and bread crumbs. Use a rubber spatula to mix them until they form a paste. Stir in the Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. Mix in the thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Cook the scallops: Heat a large skillet over high heat and add the canola oil. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add them to the pan. Cook for 30 to 45 seconds until the edges brown and then quickly remove them to a plate using tongs.
• Cook the mushrooms: Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until they soften and brown lightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vermouth and simmer until virtually all the liquid has evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the heavy cream, stirring gently, and simmer until the mixture thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. Do not boil vigorously or the mixture risks separating. Taste for seasoning. Stir the scallops, lemon juice, and scallions. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Broil the scallop: Transfer the sauce and scallops to a shallow ovenproof dish (or into clean scallop shells, if desired). Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top and broil until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. The time may be slightly longer or shorter depending on how quickly the top browns. Watch carefully! Serve immediately.

SAFFRON SCALLOP GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. (If possible, position the broiler rack 3 inches from the heat.) Mix the breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, the parsley and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Soak the saffron in a separate small bowl with 1 tablespoon water.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add the scallops, season with salt and sear until golden, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook 1 more minute; transfer to a plate (do not wipe out the skillet).
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet. Add the onion and carrots, season with salt and cook until the onion is soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and paprika and stir until toasted, about 1 minute. Add the wine, scrape up any browned bits and cook until the liquid is almost evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in 1 1/2 cups water, the saffron and soaking water, and any juices from the plate of scallops. Bring to a simmer and cook until about 1/4 inch of liquid remains, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Return the scallops to the skillet, transfer to the broiler and cook, rotating the skillet as needed, until the scallops are firm, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the scallops with the breadcrumb mixture and continue to broil until browned, 1 to 2 more minutes, rotating as needed.

BAY SCALLOP GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place 6 (6-inch round) gratin dishes on a sheet pan.
• To make the topping, place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (you can also use a hand mixer). With the mixer on low speed, add the garlic, shallot, prosciutto, parsley, lemon juice, Pernod, salt, and pepper and mix until combined. With the mixer still on low, add the olive oil slowly as though making mayonnaise, until combined. Fold the panko in with a rubber spatula and set aside.
• Preheat the broiler, if it's separate from your oven.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the wine in the bottom of each gratin dish. With a small sharp knife, remove the white muscle and membrane from the side of each scallop and discard. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and distribute them among the 3 dishes. Spoon the garlic butter evenly over the top of the scallops. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the topping is golden and sizzling and the scallops are barely done. If you want the top crustier, place the dishes under the broiler for 2 minutes, until browned. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkling of chopped parsley and serve immediately with crusty French bread.

SEAFOOD GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place 4 individual gratin dishes on sheet pans. (If recipe is doubled serve it in a 14 by 9 1/4-inch oval gratin dish.)
• Combine the stock, cream, 1/2 cup of the wine, the tomato puree, and saffron in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and add the shrimp. After 3 minutes, use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp to a bowl. Add the halibut to the stock for 3 minutes, until just cooked through, and remove to the same bowl. Add the cooked lobster to the bowl.
• Continue to cook the sauce until reduced by half, about 12 minutes. Mash 1 tablespoon of the butter together with the flour. Whisk the butter mixture into the sauce along with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saute pan. Add the leeks and carrots and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of wine, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until tender. Set aside.
• Combine the panko, Parmesan, parsley, tarragon, and garlic. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and mix it into the crumbs until they're moistened.
• Divide the seafood among the 4 gratin dishes. Strew the vegetables on top of each dish. Pour the sauce equally over the seafood and vegetables and spoon the crumbs evenly on top. Bake for 20 minutes, until the top is browned and the sauce is bubbly. Serve hot.

SCALLOPS IN SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Put wine, fish stock and saffron in a pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy bottom skillet. Add onion and garlic and cook for five minutes or until soft. Add the scallops and cook gently for five minutes stirring occasionally, or until they turn just opaque. Be careful not to overcook.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the scallops from the skillet and transfer to a warmed plate. Add the saffron liquid to the skillet, bring to a boil, and boil rapidly until reduced to about half. Lower the heat and gradually stir in the cream, just a little at a time. Let simmer gently until the sauce thickens.
• Return the scallops to the skillet and let simmer for 1-2 minutes just to heat them through. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. serve the scallops hot, garnished with parsley, and accompanied by chunks or slices of crusty bread for mopping up the saffron sauce.