GRATINATED SCALLOPS with cocktail sauce and shrimp, shells filled with a quick cream made with ricotta to prepare in a short time, perfect appetizer for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The GRATINATED SCALLOPS with cocktail sauce and shrimp are my clever appetizer to amaze at the parties. Quick to prepare, scenic, and delicious, they turn a simple dish into a little wow on the Christmas or New Year’s table.
I prepare the shells with a quick cream based on ricotta and cocktail sauce then add the shrimp: all in a few minutes without too much fuss. Perfect even for those who want an elegant appetizer without going crazy in the kitchen. The best part? Even those with little time can make a great impression!
These gratinated scallops are perfect as a budget-friendly recipe, tasty and quick, ideal for Christmas buffets and appetizers. Plus, you can customize the gratin with breadcrumbs, herbs, or a drizzle of lemon: the scenic effect is guaranteed.
Join me in the kitchen today for gratinated scallops with cocktail sauce.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 8 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven, Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, All seasons
Ingredients
- 8 jumbo shrimp
- 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- Half teaspoon mustard
- Half teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Half teaspoon lemon juice
- pepper
- 1 tablespoon ricotta
- chives
- pink pepper
- mango (or avocado)
Steps
Cocktail sauce preparation: In a bowl, mix: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, and lemon. Stir well until a smooth and uniform pink cream is obtained.
Adjust with pepper and set aside.Clean the jumbo shrimp, remove the vein, leave the tail if you like, bring salted water with a slice of lemon to a boil and immerse them.
Cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn pink and tender. Drain and let them cool a bit, then cook in a pan with the lid closed and a little oil or water for 3-4 minutes.
In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of cocktail sauce, ricotta, ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, chopped chives or parsley, and pink pepper, stir well until a smooth and homogeneous cream is obtained.
Place the cream in the scallop shells, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, Parmesan
and place under the oven grill at 450°F (230°C) for 2–3 minutes until golden.Remove the shells from the oven, place a cooked jumbo shrimp on top, grate some lime zest, and add a slice of lime.
Cut the mango into small cubes and arrange them on the shells, then add pink peppercorns, a sprinkle of pepper, a drizzle of oil, and serve.
Bon appétit
If you like the recipe, click on the stars at the bottom of the article. THANK YOU!
GRATINATED SCALLOPS with cocktail sauce and shrimp
Useful tips
Mix the ricotta with a bit of chopped parsley for more color.
For a crispy gratin, use breadcrumbs and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Bake in a hot oven for just a few minutes: they need to brown without drying out.
You can prepare the cocktail sauce in advance and store it in the fridge.
New: subscribe to my WhatsApp channel
FOLLOW ME ON TELEGRAM ENABLE NOTIFICATIONS
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK
FOLLOW ARTE IN CUCINA ON INSTAGRAM
FAQ GRATINATED SCALLOPS with cocktail sauce and shrimp
Can I use only shrimp or jumbo shrimp?
Absolutely not! You can use scallops or salmon or tuna.
Can gratinated scallops with cocktail sauce be prepared in advance?
Certainly, but gratinate them at the last minute to keep them soft and golden.
Can I replace the ricotta?
Mascarpone or light cream cheese are great substitutes.
Can they be made without an oven?
You can use a grill or a non-stick pan to warm them slightly, but the gratin effect will be less.
