Description

This luxurious seafood gratin combines tender shrimp, halibut, and lobster in a rich saffron cream sauce, topped with crispy herb breadcrumbs – pure indulgence in every bite!

Ingredients

For the Luxurious Sauce & Seafood

1 cup seafood stock or clam juice
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup good white wine (Chardonnay or Chablis work beautifully), plus 3 tablespoons
3 tablespoons tomato purée
½ teaspoon saffron threads (don’t skip this golden magic!)
225 grams raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and halved crosswise
225 grams halibut (or other firm white fish like cod), cut into 2.5 cm chunks
225 grams cooked lobster meat, cut into similar-sized chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the Silky Thickener & Sweet Vegetables

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
300 grams julienned leeks (whites & light greens only)
3 large carrots, julienned
45 grams butter for sautéing

For the Golden, Crispy Topping

100 grams panko breadcrumbs
35 grams freshly grated Parmesan cheese
20 grams minced flat-leaf parsley
15 grams chopped fresh tarragon leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
Additional butter for moistening breadcrumbs

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Instructions

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready

Heat oven to 190°C. Put your gratin dishes on a sheet pan.

Step 2: Create That Incredible Saffron Cream Sauce

Mix seafood stock, cream, wine, tomato purée, and saffron in a saucepan. Bring to boil then lower heat. Your kitchen will smell amazing.

Step 3: Cook the Seafood to Perfection

Add shrimp first. Cook 3 minutes until pink. Remove with slotted spoon. Add halibut next. Cook 3 minutes until white. Remove and mix with shrimp and lobster. Don’t worry if seafood looks underdone – the oven finishes it.

Step 4: Make That Sauce Silky and Rich

Keep simmering sauce until half remains – about 12 minutes. Mash butter with flour using a fork. Whisk into sauce with salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes until thick.

Step 5: Sauté Those Sweet Vegetables

Melt 45g butter in skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and carrots. Cook 5 minutes until soft. Add remaining wine and seasonings. Cook until tender.

Step 6: Prepare the Golden Topping

Mix panko, Parmesan, parsley, tarragon, and garlic. Melt some butter and stir in until breadcrumbs look moist.

Step 7: Assemble Your Masterpiece

Split seafood between dishes. Layer vegetables on top. Pour sauce over everything. Sprinkle breadcrumb mix on top.

Step 8: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Bake 20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Notes

Buy seafood same day you cook. Freshness matters here.

Save shrimp shells and simmer in stock for extra flavor.

Room temp cream won’t break when whisking in butter mixture.

Toast breadcrumbs lightly first for deeper flavor.

Use kitchen scale for seafood portions – eyeballing leads to uneven cooking.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baked
Cuisine: French-inspired