I confess. This was the entree' from our birthday dinner last Saturday night. There's no way I'd be cookin' something like this for my lonely self, though I'm not sure why not. It beats the heck outa' the PBJ I had last night - hey I indulge myself when the great white hunter's off on a foraging trip. I mean could you see me handing him a peanut butter jelly sandwich for dinner? Never have and never will.
The big guy calls this a "Jacques Cousteau" - don't ask, but it makes me laugh every time. This particular version is from Emeril, although I have to admit it's not the best one I've ever made. It seemed quite bland to me in the taste department, but only because I forgot to add the "essence" to the recipe. Dah. No wonder! We did doctor up our individual servings with some good old hot sauce though. Julia would turn over in her grave!
Anyway the only other change I made was to add a couple of beautiful very large shrimp to each ramekin, because I was afraid the pound of scallops wouldn't be enough for 4 people. (It would have been). Loaded with seafood and mushrooms in a lovely smooth mornay sauce, this is company food at it's finest because you can do the whole darn thing in advance including piping the mashed potatoes around it; hide 'em in the fridge then throw it in the oven to heat while you're having the first course. Be careful that you don't overheat them however. You're simply warming them since the seafood's already cooked - PLUS the sauce becomes something akin to napalm if you overdo it.
About the potatoes - I simply boiled some peeled red potatoes until they were done, then put them through my trusty ricer before whipping in a couple of egg yolks, heavy cream and a little butter. The consistency was lovely for piping and perfect with the Coquille. I can't imagine not having potatoes with this because not only do they make the ramekin look lovely, they're a perfect foil for the rich seafood inside the casserole!
OMG it turned out beautiful, I mean, what a meal!!
Posted by: noble pig | 02/07/2010 at 06:45 AM
Cathy - thank you. That's high praise coming from someone that cooks like a dream!
Posted by: June | 02/07/2010 at 06:53 AM
Yummy!! I could just taste it!! Mornay is one of my favorites! Esp. with shrimp - glad you added some! Yes - I live vicariously through your posts - it means I get to eat more and not gain weight! And a good healthy meal because you can easily spell all the ingredients!!! Nothing processed!!! At least that is what qualifies in my world! Beautiful - just beautiful!!! I bet the PBJ was good, too - just in a different kinda way!
Posted by: Lea | 02/07/2010 at 07:23 AM
Thanks Lea. Yup the PBJ was good, in fact I'm having another one for breakfast. It's pouring rain here and I'm NOT going for groceries!
Posted by: June | 02/07/2010 at 08:14 AM
It's so gourmet June! Just lovely, really lovely.
Posted by: Mags | 02/07/2010 at 11:58 AM
Thanks Mags - very easy to make though.
Posted by: June | 02/07/2010 at 02:57 PM