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🌊 Gourmet Seafood Cassolette 🦐🦀🧄
Elegant, creamy, and bursting with the finest treasures of the sea
🧑🍳 Introduction
The Seafood Cassolette is a luxurious French-inspired seafood bake, often served in individual ramekins or small gratin dishes. Rich, comforting, and refined, it combines delicate seafood with a creamy white wine sauce, baked under a golden topping of cheese or buttery breadcrumbs. This dish is perfect for special occasions or a cozy, indulgent evening at home.
🌍 Origin and Cultural Significance
Originating from French coastal regions, the cassolette (meaning “little casserole”) is a traditional way to serve seafood in an elegant and composed manner. In French cuisine, the technique emphasizes layering flavors—seafood, cream, wine, aromatics—into a single, indulgent serving. Popular in Brittany and Normandy, where fresh seafood is abundant, this dish showcases the French dedication to seasonal, regional ingredients and culinary finesse.
🧾 Ingredients & Quantity
Serves 4
- ½ lb (225g) shrimp, peeled & deveined
- ½ lb (225g) sea scallops, halved if large
- ½ lb (225g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 shallots, finely minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup grated Gruyère cheese or Parmesan
- ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Zest of 1 lemon
✨ Optional Additions
- Mushrooms (sautéed with shallots)
- Lobster chunks for an ultra-luxurious twist
- Truffle oil (a few drops before serving)
- Saffron threads (steeped in cream) for extra aroma and color
💡 Tips for Success
- Do not overcook seafood—it finishes cooking in the oven
- Use dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- Gruyère adds a nutty flavor, but Parmesan or Comté are great too
- Taste your sauce before assembling to ensure it’s well-seasoned
- Chill the seafood mix briefly to help it firm up before baking
👨🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté shallots and garlic until translucent (2–3 minutes).
- Add shrimp and scallops; cook for just 2 minutes (they will finish in the oven). Remove from heat.
- Stir in crab meat gently to keep lumps intact.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter. Add wine, cream, mustard, lemon juice, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Pour sauce over seafood mixture. Toss gently.
- Divide into 4 greased ramekins or small baking dishes.
- Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, and lemon zest in a bowl. Sprinkle over each ramekin.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges.
🍽️ Description
This seafood cassolette delivers layers of creamy richness and briny elegance. The tender shrimp and scallops contrast beautifully with the sweet crab and golden topping. Every bite is luxurious, warming, and subtly infused with garlic, wine, and herbs.
🥗 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Approximate values
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 32g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Sugar: 2g
🌟 Conclusion & Recommendation
The Gourmet Seafood Cassolette is a dish that speaks of celebration and indulgence. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself to a fine homemade meal, this recipe will transport you to a seaside bistro in France with each bite. Serve with a crisp white wine and crusty baguette.
💖 Embracing Healthful Indulgence
While rich, this dish is also filled with lean protein and heart-healthy seafood. To make it lighter, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or use olive oil in place of butter. Balance the meal with a green salad or steamed vegetables. Indulgence doesn’t mean compromise—it’s about savoring quality ingredients, mindfully prepared.
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♦️𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗖.𝗼.𝗺.𝗺.𝗲.𝗻.𝘁 👇💬
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