1-First Step: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Scallops Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F) to ensure it’s hot and ready when you need it. Pat the 220g medium raw scallops dry with a paper towel, then remove the chewy side muscle, known as the foot, for better texture. If your scallops are medium-sized, slice them in half horizontally to help them cook evenly and absorb the sauce flavors.

2-Second Step: Make the Cheesy Crust In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 50g melted unsalted butter, 50g shredded Gruyère cheese, and 1/8 tsp cooking salt. Mix until everything is well blended and set it aside for later. This step prepares the crispy topping that will give your dish its golden finish, so take a moment to ensure it’s evenly mixed.

3-Third Step: Cook the Mushroom Béchamel Sauce In a medium pot over medium heat, melt 30g unsalted butter. Add 1 finely diced eschalot and 200g diced white mushrooms, then sauté for 4-5 minutes until they soften and release their aroma. Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour and cook for about 30 seconds to form a paste, which is the base of your sauce. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup hot full-fat milk and 1/2 cup hot thickened cream to avoid lumps, then season with 1/4 tsp cooking salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Let it simmer until bubbling and creamy, then remove from heat for a pourable consistency.

4-Fourth Step: Assemble the Dish Season the prepared scallops with 1/4 tsp cooking salt and divide them evenly into 4 shallow ramekins. Spoon the mushroom béchamel sauce over the scallops, making sure to fill any gaps and smooth the top for even baking. Sprinkle the cheesy crust mixture evenly over each ramekin, covering right to the edges to create that perfect crispy layer.

5-Fifth Step: Bake and Serve Bake the assembled ramekins in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the topping turns golden and crispy. Once done, let them rest for 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. For ideas on pairing, check out this easy chicken spaghetti recipe for a complementary main course on our site.