How To Make Coquilles St-jacques – Recipe | Felicity Cloake's Masterclass

’Tis nan play for nutrient that makes everyone consciousness a small spot loved and special; for showstoppers – but preferably nan benignant that don’t extremity nan show for excessively long, fixed really overmuch other is apt to beryllium going on. This French classic, which tin beryllium made a time ahead, if necessary, and/or bulked retired pinch different seafood, is simply a luxurious ray starter aliases fancy canapé.

Prep 20 min
Cook 15 min
Makes 6

6 ample sustainably-sourced scallops (diver-caught, ideally), cleaned and connected nan shell, aliases stiff and defrosted scallops (or spot method)
2 tbsp butter
2 banana shallots, aliases 4 information ones
150ml achromatic wine (optional; spot method)
100ml double cream

For nan topping
1 mini ail clove
25g parsley
2 tbsp butter
70g dried breadcrumbs

1 A statement connected nan seafood

If you’d for illustration to support costs down, spell for stiff scallops, aliases for smaller queen scallops (farmed aliases hand-dived ones thin to beryllium the astir sustainable), aliases operation scallops pinch different seafood specified arsenic mini shelled clams and prawns, etc, and navigator and service them successful gratin dishes. Store unrecorded scallops successful nan fridge round-side down. For a much important dish, adhd different chopped scallop, aliases different seafood, per person.

2 Clean nan scallops

Ask nan fishmonger to cleanable caller scallops successful nan ammunition (or do it yourself: cautiously prise unfastened nan ammunition somewhat by inserting a sturdy weapon adjacent nan hinge, past tally a elastic weapon down nan wrong of nan level broadside and mildly detach nan meat. Spoon it out, then, keeping immoderate orangish roe, propulsion disconnected and discard nan frill and achromatic stomach; a video mightiness beryllium helpful). Rinse nan scallop nutrient and reserve nan apical shells.

3 Sweat nan shallots

Peel and finely chop nan shallots – you could besides adhd a finely minced ail clove, if you like, and possibly a sprinkling of thyme, but don’t overdo it aliases you’ll overwhelm nan delicate flavour of nan seafood.

Melt 2 tablespoons of nan food successful a mini cookware connected a medium-low heat, past adhd nan shallots and sweat until soft.

4 Poach nan scallops

Add nan vino to nan cookware (dry sherry aliases achromatic vermouth will besides work; or, to support things alcohol-free, usage a dilute food banal pinch a compression of citrus juice astatine nan end) and bring to a simmer. Add nan scallop meat, poach for 2 aliases 3 minutes, depending connected their thickness, and turning once, until they move white, past scoop retired connected to a plate.

5 Reduce nan wine

Simmer nan vino vigorously until it’s almost wholly evaporated into a heavy syrup, past return disconnected nan heat, time off to cool somewhat and operation successful nan pick (and a small citrus juice, if you’re not utilizing wine). Season to taste, base successful mind that there’s a topping to travel that will besides beryllium seasoned.

6 Start nan topping

Peel and flatten nan ail clove pinch nan level of a knife. Roughly chop nan parsley leaves and nan softer tops of nan stalks.

Melt nan remaining 2 tablespoons of food successful a mini cookware pinch nan ail clove, past move disconnected nan power and time off to infuse.

Put nan breadcrumbs (dried aliases dryish ones will crisp up amended than fresh) successful a nutrient processor pinch nan parsley, and whizz to a vibrant greenish (if you don’t person a machine, finely chop nan 2 pinch a knife).

Lift nan ail clove retired of nan melted food and discard/eat, past operation nan food into nan parsley breadcrumbs and play to taste.

8 Assemble nan dish

Divide nan scallops (or your chosen seafood) betwixt six reserved half-shells (or six mini gratin/ovenproof dishes; you tin make this successful 1 larger dish, if you’d for illustration – conscionable make judge nan scallops are astatine each times partially covered by sauce).

Top nan scallops pinch nan creamy shallots, past scatter nan breadcrumbs evenly connected top.

9 Grill and serve

If cooking immediately, power nan grill to medium-high, past grill nan scallops for astir 3 minutes, until aureate and bubbling connected top.

Photograph: Robert Billington/The Guardian. Food styling: Emily Ezekiel (all measurement by measurement photographs).

Serve astatine once, possibly pinch a greenish salad. Alternatively, if you’re preparing these ahead, shop nan ungrilled shells (or dishes) level successful nan fridge for up to 24 hours. Take them retired a small while earlier you intend to navigator them, to guarantee they’re not still chilly successful nan middle.

• The Guardian intends to people recipes for sustainable fish. Check ratings successful your region: UK; Australia; US.