Classic Seafood Gratin: A Comforting Coastal Delight Recipe
Classic Seafood Gratin is a comforting coastal dish featuring a creamy mixture of shrimp, scallops, and white fish baked with a rich cheese and breadcrumb topping. This recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Coastal European
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 400 g Mixed Seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish fillets), fresh or frozen, thawed and patted dry
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 small Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 200 ml Heavy Cream (substitute coconut milk for dairy-free option)
- 100 ml Milk
- 50 g Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
Topping
- 100 g Grated Cheese (Gruyère or cheddar)
- 50 g Breadcrumbs (optionally mixed with melted butter)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Seafood: Dry the mixed seafood thoroughly, cut the white fish fillets into bite-sized chunks, and season all the seafood generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt completely. Whisk in all-purpose flour to create a roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes. Gradually pour in milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously. Continue whisking for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Seafood and Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold the seasoned seafood into the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the seafood and sauce mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the grated cheese and breadcrumbs over the top. For extra crunch, mix the breadcrumbs with a little melted butter before sprinkling if desired.
- Bake the Gratin: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the gratin rest for 5 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood whenever possible for the best flavor and texture.
- For additional flavor, consider adding fresh herbs such as dill or thyme to the sauce.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk to make the dish dairy-free.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter before topping to enhance the crunchiness.
Keywords: Seafood Gratin, creamy seafood bake, coastal recipe, shrimp scallops fish gratin, cheesy seafood casserole
