Description

Indulge in the elegance of a Gourmet Seafood Cassolette, a luxurious dish featuring perfectly seared scallops in a velvety cream and mushroom wine sauce. This easy dinner idea brings restaurant-quality flavor to your table in under an hour, making it perfect for both romantic evenings and upscale entertaining. With delicate seafood, a touch of Dijon, and golden broiled cheese, it’s a standout among quick seafood meals, easy recipes, and gourmet food ideas. Whether you’re looking for unique dinner ideas or a savory holiday starter, this cassolette checks every box.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb sea scallops (patted dry)

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)

1 small shallot, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup cremini mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup dry white wine

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp ground white pepper

Salt, to taste

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)

1/4 cup grated Gruyère cheese (optional)

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Crusty bread, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season scallops with salt. Sear scallops 2 minutes per side until golden. Set aside.

2. In the same skillet, add remaining butter. Sauté shallots for 1 minute, then garlic for 30 seconds. Add mushrooms, cook 5–7 minutes until browned.

3. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up browned bits. Let reduce by half.

4. Lower heat. Add cream, mustard, white pepper, and salt. Simmer 3–5 minutes to thicken slightly. Stir in lemon juice, thyme, and parsley.

5. Return scallops to the sauce, gently folding them in. Transfer to an oven-safe dish. Top with Gruyère if using.

6. Broil 2–4 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Pat scallops very dry before searing to get that signature golden crust.

Always reduce the wine well before adding cream for the best flavor.

Broil at the end for a bubbly, browned finish that elevates the dish visually and texturally.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Broil + Stovetop
Cuisine: French-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 410
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 380mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 95mg