Sea Scallops Coquille St. Jacques

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 20 sea scallops, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon saffron threads
• Dash of ground red pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 12 scallop shells
• Cooking spray
• 1 cup Japanese breadcrumbs (Panko)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• Paprika

Preparation

1. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook 1 minute, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in half-and-half; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is slightly thickened. Remove from heat, and set aside.
2. Sauté onion and celery in 1/2 cup melted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms; sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add scallops; sauté 1 minute. Stir in wine and white sauce; cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Stir in salt and next 3 ingredients. Stir in cheese and parsley.
3. Coat 12 scallop shells with cooking spray, and place on a large baking sheet. Combine breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter; toss well. Spoon scallop mixture into prepared shells; sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture and paprika.
4. Bake at 375º for 15 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Let stand 5 minutes.
5. Tip: To keep scallop shells from tipping over on baking sheet, sprinkle sheet generously with rock salt, and nestle shells in salt.
6. Wine note: "Let your imagination run. Try a big Chardonnay from a New World country. I suggest Leeuwin Estate ($65) from Margaret River, Western Australia, or Lanzerac ($22) from Stellenbosch, South Africa."--Franklin Ferguson, wine director and bar manager, Citrine restaurant, Los Angeles, CA.