Bay Scallops with Polenta, Wild Mushrooms, Sherry, and Parsley Bread Crumbs
Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs from French bread with crust
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
12 ounces fresh chanterelle mushrooms or other fresh wild mushrooms (such as oyster, stemmed shiitake, or crimini, quartered if large)
2 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup amontillado Sherry
1/4 cup low-salt chicken broth
1/4 cup whipping cream
4 cups (or more) water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup polenta
1 pound bay scallops
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss breadcrumbs with olive oil and parsley in medium bowl to blend. Spread onto rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and crunchy, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and thyme. Sauté until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Add green onions; sauté 1 minute. Add Sherry; boil until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Add broth. Boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add cream; simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. (Can be made 3 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Bring 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook polenta until tender, adding more water as needed if too thick, and whisking frequently, about 20 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
Reheat mushroom mixture. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in another large skillet over high heat. Add scallops and sauté until just translucent in center, about 1 minute. Stir scallops and juices into mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide polenta among 6 plates. Spoon scallop mixture over polenta, sprinkle breadcrumbs over, and serve
