1/4 Cup Butter 3/4 Cup White Wine 3 Carrots, Sliced 2 Pounds Scallops, Thoroughly Washed 1 Small Celery Heart, Sliced 2 Cups Creme Fraiche, See Below 2 Shallots, Chopped Salt And Pepper To Taste 1 European Cucumber, Cubed Coarsely Chopped Fresh Parsley, For Garnish 24 Small Mushrooms, Sliced
Melt 2 Tablespoons Butter in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat and sauté carrots 5 minutes. Reduce heat, add celery and cook 5 minutes. Add cucumber and mushrooms, cover and cook an additional 5 minutes. Add more butter as necessary during cooking.
Meanwhile, In separate pan, reduce wine by one-half.
In a large skillet, melt remaining 2 Tablespoons Butter over medium heat and sauté scallops 30 seconds or until opaque; do not allow to brown. Deglaze vegetable pan with reduced wine. Add vegetables with their pan juices and Creme Fraiche. Cook 3 minutes and season to taste with salt and pepper. Scallops should not be overcooked. Remove scallops and vegetables from pan and reduce sauce to desired thickness over medium-high heat. If more sauce is desired, add a bit more heavy cream and butter an continue to reduce. Return scallops and vegetables to sauce and serve. Garnish with chervil and/or parsley.
Creme Fraiche: 2 Cups Whipping Cream and 1 Tablespoon Buttermilk. Mix together in covered jar and shake 2 minutes. Let stand at room temperature 8 hours, or until thick. Place in refrigerator.
2011 Modified Recipe - April Ferre
"I found this recipe among my Mom's recipe clippings to try. I love scallops, and when I saw the large sea scallops go on sale for half their usual price, I decided it was time to try this. I have learned that 'brouet' is an old term for soup. This hearty recipe though could maybe be better described as a chowder. I would also be good as a mixed seafood chowder with some shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari." - April Ferre
"One of the highlights of our visit last summer to the Stratford, Ontario, Shakespeare Festival was The Church Restaurant's superb coquilles, served in a delicate cream base with fresh vegetables. We were certainly surprised when the waiter informed us that this rich-tasting dish was actually 'cuisine minceur'. Do you think that you could persuade the chef to part with this wonderful recipe? (From a magazine clipping.)
"One of the highlights of our visit last summer to the Stratford, Ontario, Shakespeare Festival was The Church Restaurant's superb coquilles, served in a delicate cream base with fresh vegetables. We were certainly surprised when the waiter informed us that this rich-tasting dish was actually 'cuisine minceur'. Do you think that you could persuade the chef to part with this wonderful recipe? (From a magazine clipping.)
