Seared Scallops in a Morel Cream Sauce a French Classic Recipe
David Scott Allen · Fish & Seafood · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · TasteIf you like mushrooms, you already know that the most wonderful varieties are foraged in the wild. Perhaps it’s because they have the hearty, earthy flavour of their terroir. Or maybe it’s just that these treasures must be searched out and harvested by hand. I created a French-inspired classic using fresh morels served in a cream sauce with seared scallops. Continue reading here for the original article and my sources for the mushrooms and scallops in Tucson.

Seared Scallops in a Morel Cream Sauce
I created this French-inspired classic using fresh morels served in a cream sauce with seared scallops.
Ingredients
- 4 oz morel mushrooms fresh
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 2 tbsp shallot(s) finely minced
- 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves only
- salt
- freshly ground white pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (light)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup heavy cream (35%)
- 8 large scallops tough muscle removed, patted dry
- salt
- freshly ground white pepper
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Clean the morels under cold running water, as they can be very sandy. Dry them with cloth or paper towels and slice them into 1/4-inch rings, discarding the stems.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the morels, shallots, thyme, paprika, and sauté for about 1 minute; season with salt and white pepper.
- Add the white wine and balsamic vinegar and reduce until almost evaporated.
- Add the chicken broth and cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 5 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and cook until thick, about 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust if desired. Set aside on a low heat until ready to use.
- Lightly season the scallops on both sides with salt and generously with white pepper.
- Put 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the scallops for 3 minutes on the first side, adding the butter in pieces around the pan halfway through. Turn the scallops and cook on the second side for 1 minute.
- Divide the sauce between 2 soup plates and place half the scallops on the sauce in the centre of each bowl. Garnish with parsley.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
More Recipes with Morel Mushrooms
Seared and Roasted Salmon with Morel, Asparagus, and Pea Ragoût
A delicious roasted salmon served over various vegetables will leave you very satisfied.
Check out this recipe
Chicken with morels and asparagus (Poulet aux morilles et asperges)
Wild mushrooms are best in the autumn and morels in the spring. Asparagus is one of my favourite ingredients in the springtime. This recipe makes the most of both using a fricassee method, which is (roughly) a combination of a sauté and a stew. You can use white or green asparagus, but make sure that they are not the thin varieties (including wild asparagus) as they will be lost in the dish. As an option, you can add potatoes as well.
Check out this recipe
Super Scallop Recipes
Saffron Spaghetti with Buttery Scallops
This pasta dish is ready in no time at all. Make sure not to overcook the scallops, and don't be shy about using butter.
Check out this recipe
Roasted Scallops with Hazelnut and Rosé Butter on Polenta Mash
Here's a cheeky recipe to delight your beloved ;) Enjoy the dish with a chilled glass of Rosé and enjoy la Saint Valentin. Stephen and I actually got together on Valentine’s day many moons ago, so it’s a bit of an extra special day for the two of us and I am hoping he might cook me something this time!
Check out this recipe
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Related Provence Articles
Good Food and Cozy Dining in St-Rémy at Le Marilyn
June 16, 2025
My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence, and one of our favourite restaurants for cozy dining is Le Marilyn. We always receive a warm welcome, the food is consistently good, and the dining room is one of the most charming around. Owner Chantal Büchner has been ...
Antibes: A Timeless Treasure on the Côte d’Azur
June 5, 2025
Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea’s azure waters and Provence’s rolling hills lies Antibes, a gem of the French Riviera that enchants visitors with its irresistible blend of history, art, and culinary traditions. A Journey Through the Centuries As you wander through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the old town, you ...
My Chicken Ispahan Recipe – Inspired by Pierre Hermé’s French Pastry
May 26, 2025
It may seem strange, but I am not a café au lait fan. However, a hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) in Paris with a beautiful pastry called an Ispahan – now that is a magical French experience. Pierre Hermé created the dessert for Ladurée, the finest purveyor of macarons in Paris ...
Maussane-les-Alpilles: A Friendly Hotel-Restaurant with Excellent Food
May 23, 2025
“We love our clients and treat them like honoured guests.” These are the words of Marielle Fabregoul of l’Oustaloun, a charming hotel-restaurant in Maussane-les-Alpilles. She and her husband Thierry share a passion for customer service, which shows. A Local Institution L’Oustaloun has long been an institution in Maussane. It began ...
No Comment