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Seafood Lovers’ Dream: Gourmet Cassolette Recipe
Introduction
The Seafood Lovers’ Dream: Gourmet Cassolette is a refined dish that celebrates the ocean’s bounty in a warm, velvety medley. This indulgent recipe layers shrimp, scallops, and crab meat in a creamy, flavorful sauce and bakes them until golden perfection. It’s a restaurant-quality entrée that brings elegance to your table, making it ideal for dinner parties, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for a luxurious seafood experience.
Origin and Cultural Significance
The word “cassolette” is French, derived from “cassole,” meaning a small dish or casserole. Cassolettes are traditionally small, individual-sized casseroles served in French cuisine, often filled with seafood or vegetables in a creamy sauce and topped with cheese or breadcrumbs. This dish represents the French love of combining rich, delicate flavors with a touch of sophistication. Today, variations of the cassolette can be found in upscale seafood restaurants around the world, often as a way to highlight the finest catches of the day.
Ingredients Quantity
- ½ lb shrimp, peeled & deveined
- ½ lb scallops
- ½ lb lump crab meat
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup seafood stock (or chicken stock)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended for crunch)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Additions
- Mushrooms: Sautéed button or cremini mushrooms for extra depth.
- Spinach: A handful of fresh baby spinach stirred in before baking.
- Lemon Zest: Adds a fresh citrus brightness to balance the richness.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a gentle spicy kick.
- Truffle Oil: A drizzle before serving for a decadent, earthy finish.
Tips for Success
- Pat Dry Your Seafood: Ensures proper browning and prevents excess water in the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook: Seafood cooks quickly, so partially cook shrimp and scallops before combining to avoid a rubbery texture.
- Use Quality Stock & Wine: These form the flavor base, so choose a dry white wine you’d enjoy drinking.
- Broil at the End: For a perfectly golden top, broil the cassolette for 1–2 minutes right before serving.
- Serve Hot: Cassolettes are best enjoyed warm and creamy straight from the oven.
Instructions
- Prepare the Seafood:
- Pat shrimp and scallops dry with paper towels.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, sear shrimp and scallops for 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same pan, add 2 tbsp olive oil and butter. Sauté shallots and garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Stir in flour to form a roux, cooking for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in seafood stock, then white wine, allowing sauce to thicken.
- Add heavy cream, Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer until creamy.
- Assemble the Cassolette:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a baking dish or individual ramekins, arrange shrimp, scallops, and lump crab meat.
- Pour sauce over seafood, ensuring even coverage.
- Top and Bake:
- Combine breadcrumbs with cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbling and golden.
- Optionally broil for 1–2 minutes for extra browning.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with crusty bread, rice, or pasta.
Description
This dish is a showstopper—creamy, savory, and brimming with the essence of the sea. Each bite offers the sweetness of shrimp, the tender delicacy of scallops, and the luxurious richness of lump crab, all coated in a velvety wine-cream sauce and topped with a golden, cheesy crust.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – based on 4 servings)
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: ~32g
- Carbohydrates: ~10g
- Fat: ~28g
- Saturated Fat: ~13g
- Cholesterol: ~190mg
- Sodium: ~620mg
(Values vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)
Conclusion
The Seafood Lovers’ Dream: Gourmet Cassolette is the perfect balance of indulgence and elegance. It transforms simple ingredients into a fine dining experience, all from the comfort of your kitchen.
Recommendation
Pair this dish with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or even a sparkling wine. Serve alongside a light salad or steamed asparagus to keep the meal well-rounded and fresh.
Embracing Healthful Indulgence
While this dish is rich, you can make it lighter by using half-and-half instead of cream, reducing the cheese, or serving with a side of roasted vegetables for balance. It’s a dish meant to be savored slowly, allowing you to enjoy every luxurious bite mindfully.
Would you like me to create a single-serving version of this recipe (perfect for an elegant date night or solo dinner) or keep it as a family-style recipe?