Seafood Gratin Delight
Indulge in the rich and comforting flavors of our Seafood Gratin Delight, a perfect dish for seafood lovers. This creamy and savory gratin combines tender fish or shellfish with a velvety sauce, finished with a layer of golden cheese. Whether using canned salmon or fresh-cooked fish, each bite is a harmonized blend of textures and tastes. Ideal for a family dinner or a special gathering, this dish can be served in a baking dish or encased in a flaky pastry shell. A true homage to Julia Child, this recipe brings a classic French twist to your dining table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1/4 cup (finely minced)
butter
4 tablespoons (divided; 3 tablespoons for cooking and 1 tablespoon for topping)
flour
3 tablespoons (all-purpose)
milk
1 cup (boiling)
dry white wine or dry white vermouth
1/4 cup
salmon juice
from can, if any
salt
1/4 teaspoon
pepper
1 pinch
oregano
1/4 teaspoon
whipping cream
4-6 tablespoons
salmon
1 1/2 cups (cooked or canned)
Swiss cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
sautéed mushrooms
optional (sliced)
hard-boiled eggs
optional (sliced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
In a sturdy 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and add the finely minced onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender and translucent but not browned.
3
Stir in the flour and continue cooking gently for 2 minutes to form a roux, being careful not to let it color.
4
Remove the saucepan from heat and gradually whisk in the boiling milk, followed by the dry white wine (or vermouth) and the juices from the canned salmon if available. Add the salt, pepper, and oregano, stirring until fully combined.
5
Return the saucepan to medium-high heat and bring the sauce to a boil while stirring continuously. Let it boil for several minutes to allow the alcohol from the wine to evaporate and the sauce to thicken to a medium consistency.
6
Thinning the sauce slightly with additional tablespoons of whipping cream if necessary, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
7
Gently fold in the cooked or canned salmon, along with any optional ingredients like sautéed mushrooms and sliced hard-boiled eggs. Check the seasoning once more before spreading the mixture into a greased baking dish or pastry shell.
8
Sprinkle the grated Swiss cheese evenly over the top, and dot the surface with small pieces of butter.
9
Bake in the upper third of the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the top is beautifully browned and bubbling. Serve hot and enjoy the delightful flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Seafood Gratin Delight?
Seafood Gratin Delight is a rich, comforting dish that combines tender fish or shellfish with a velvety sauce and a golden cheese topping, inspired by classic French cuisine.
What are the primary ingredients for this recipe?
The main ingredients include salmon (cooked or canned), butter, flour, boiling milk, dry white wine or vermouth, onion, and Swiss cheese.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C) before baking the gratin.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be finely minced and cooked in butter for about 5 minutes until tender and translucent.
How do you make the roux for the sauce?
To make the roux, stir 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into the cooked onions and butter, then cook gently for 2 minutes without letting it color.
What liquids are used to create the sauce?
The sauce is made by whisking boiling milk, dry white wine (or vermouth), and salmon juice into the flour and butter mixture.
Can I use canned salmon for this dish?
Yes, you can use 1 1/2 cups of either cooked fresh salmon or canned salmon.
What seasonings are added to the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of oregano.
How long should the sauce boil?
The sauce should boil for several minutes while stirring continuously to allow the alcohol to evaporate and the sauce to thicken.
What should I do if the sauce is too thick?
If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it by adding 4 to 6 tablespoons of whipping cream as needed.
What are the optional ingredients mentioned in the recipe?
Optional additions include sliced sautéed mushrooms and sliced hard-boiled eggs.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of grated Swiss cheese to be sprinkled over the top.
Where in the oven should the dish be baked?
The gratin should be baked in the upper third of the oven.
How long does the baking process take?
The dish takes approximately 15 minutes to bake until it is browned and bubbling.
Can this dish be served in something other than a baking dish?
Yes, the mixture can be served in a greased baking dish or encased in a flaky pastry shell.
Who is the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is described as a true homage to Julia Child, bringing a classic French twist to the dining table.
Is dry white vermouth a suitable substitute for wine?
Yes, the recipe suggests using either dry white wine or dry white vermouth.
What is the purpose of adding butter on top of the cheese?
Dotting the surface with small pieces of butter helps achieve a beautifully browned and bubbling crust.
How much salmon juice is required?
The recipe suggests using the juice from the can of salmon if it is available.
Should the milk be cold when added to the roux?
No, the instructions specify using boiling milk for the sauce.
How much butter is used in total?
A total of 4 tablespoons of butter is used: 3 tablespoons for the roux and 1 tablespoon for the topping.
What is the texture of the finished sauce?
The sauce should reach a medium consistency that is velvety and smooth.
What type of flour should be used?
The recipe specifies using 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
Is this recipe suitable for seafood lovers?
Absolutely, it is described as a perfect dish for seafood lovers seeking rich and comforting flavors.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
While the specific serving count is not provided, it is designed for a family dinner or special gathering using 1 1/2 cups of salmon.
Can I use other types of fish?
The description mentions it can combine tender fish or shellfish, though the specific ingredient list focuses on salmon.
What should I check before spreading the mixture into the dish?
You should check the seasoning one last time after folding in the salmon and optional ingredients.
What category of food does this fall into?
It is categorized as a main course, seafood dish, and comfort food.
How do you prevent the onions from browning?
Cook the onions over low heat and stir frequently to ensure they become tender without browning.
Should the mushrooms be cooked before adding them?
Yes, the recipe specifies using sautéed mushrooms if you choose to include them.