ADVERTISEMENT
Seafood Gratin with Cream and Cheese
by foody
Rich, creamy, and delicately flavored, this seafood gratin is an elegant and comforting dish, perfect for a family meal or a more festive dinner. The sweetness of the cream, the smoothness of the homemade béchamel sauce, and the briny taste of the seafood come together beautifully under a golden, gratinéed crust. Easy to make, it adds a touch of refinement to the table without requiring complicated techniques.
👩🍳 Serves 4
⏱️ Preparation: 25 min | Cooking time: 30 min
🛒 Ingredients
🦐 200g peeled shrimp
🐚 200g mussels (or a mix of cooked seafood)
🦑 100g calamari rings (optional)
🧈 40g butter
🌾 40g flour
🥛 400ml milk
🥛 100ml heavy cream
🧀 100g grated Gruyère cheese
🧂 Salt and freshly ground pepper
🥄 1 pinch of nutmeg
🌿 Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
🍽️ Step-by-step preparation
1️⃣ 🦐 Prepare the seafood
If using frozen seafood, start by thawing it completely. Next, quickly sauté them in a pan with a small knob of butter for 2 to 3 minutes, just to evaporate the excess water and enhance their flavor. Drain them thoroughly and set aside.
2️⃣ 🧈 Make the béchamel sauce
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour all at once and whisk vigorously for about 1 minute. This step cooks the flour without browning it.
4️⃣ 🧀 Add the finishing touch
Off the heat, stir half of the grated cheese into the still-warm sauce. Mix until you have a creamy, smooth, and coating béchamel sauce.
5️⃣ 🍲 Assemble the gratin
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Lightly butter a gratin dish, arrange the seafood evenly, then generously cover it with the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top.
6️⃣ 🔥 Bake
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown, slightly crispy, and the sauce is gently bubbling around the edges.
7️⃣ 🌿 Serve
Once out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve piping hot, accompanied by white rice, fresh pasta or a crisp green salad.
ADVERTISEMENT
