Description
Coquilles Saint-Jacques is a classic French dish featuring scallops in a creamy white wine sauce with mushrooms, topped with cheese and breadcrumbs, then baked until golden. It’s elegant yet comforting—perfect as an appetizer or light main.
Ingredients
- 500g / 1 lb scallops
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 200g / 7 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup fish stock (or chicken stock)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (thickened cream)
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp butter (extra, for roux)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/4 cup gruyère or emmental cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C/430°F (200°C fan).
- In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft.
- Add mushrooms and cook until all moisture evaporates and mushrooms start to brown.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in wine and stock. Simmer for 3 minutes or until reduced by half.
- In a separate small pan, melt 1 tbsp butter and mix in flour to make a roux. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add roux to the mushroom mixture, stirring well to combine and thicken.
- Add cream, salt, and white pepper. Simmer until sauce is thickened. Remove from heat.
- Pat scallops dry, then cut large ones in half horizontally.
- Stir scallops into the sauce (they will partially cook in the hot sauce).
- Spoon mixture into scallop shells or small baking dishes.
- Top with mixed cheeses and breadcrumbs. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use frozen scallops; thaw and pat dry before use.
- Substitute fish stock with chicken stock if needed.
- Prepare ahead: assemble up to step 11 and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
- Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch but regular breadcrumbs can also be used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
