Try the Delicious Spanish Version of Coquilles Saint-Jacques
©David Scott Allen David Scott Allen · Fish & Seafood · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · TasteAs is the case with many of you, we take travel seriously. Last fall, we travelled to Southern Spain—Andalucia for the first time, and thus my culinary inspiration for these delicious Coquilles Saint-Jacques with a Spanish flair – Vieiras de Santiago.
Once we know where we are going, the prep work begins. Markipedia and I have very different ways of doing this. He reads history books and novels set in our destination, studies maps obsessively, and attends many online lectures. I attempt to learn the language, read cookbooks, and make regional recipes to whet our appetite. Together, we cover all the bases to get ready and maximize our enjoyment as informed and respectful guests.

Vieiras de Santiago
While both recipes (French and Spanish) contain scallops, mushrooms, and parsley, that is where the similarities end. The French version is creamy, cheesy, and flavoured with vermouth, while the Spanish version is lighter, featuring tomato sauce and breadcrumbs with a touch of brandy.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large shallot(s) minced (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 lb bay scallops or sea scallops cut into quarters
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped flat leaf
- 1 tsp thyme fresh leaves
- 1 Dried Red Chili Pepper seeds removed, crumbled
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups button mushrooms sliced
- 2 tbsp Cognac or Brandy
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup tomato passata or tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup panko (Japanese) breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the shallot until transparent. Add the scallops and cook over high heat for two minutes, stirring frequently. If the scallops give off too much liquid, remove them from the pan, evaporate the excess liquid, and return to the pan.
- Lower the heat and sprinkle the parsley, thyme, chili pepper, salt, and pepper into the pan. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
- Poor in the Cognac and flambé. When the flames subside, remove the scallops and mushrooms and divide them among four individual scallop shells or casseroles.
- Add the wine and tomato passata to the skillet and boil. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes uncovered.
- While the sauce reduces, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat and add the panko breadcrumbs. Cook until the breadcrumbs turn golden.
- Pour the reduced sauce over the scallops and top with the bread crumbs; bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Notes
Best served with a green salad. Can be served as main course (2 people) or first course (4 people).
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Additional Scallop Recipes:
Wasabi Seared Scallops with Tamari Butter
A tasteful seafood recipe that can be served as a first course or light main course with a salad.
Check out this recipe
Seared Scallops, Tarragon Beurre Blanc, Saffron Carrots
Seared scallops in a citrus sauce on top of cooked carrot ribbons. It is a delicious combination and pairs perfectly with Clos Beylesse (2020), A Côtes de Provence rosé.
Check out this recipe
Scallops with Lemon and Caper Butter
These delightful scallops are a perfect appetizer to serve at your next dinner party. The bright citrus complements the creamy butter and vinegary capers for a delicious starter you can share with friends, family, or enjoy on your own!
Check out this recipe
Seared Scallops with Blood Orange Beurre Rouge
These succulent scallops pair exquisitely with the tart citrus flavour of blood orange. You can quickly whip this dish up at home that will fool your dinner guests into thinking you're a 5-star chef. Then, pair it with a buttery, full-bodied white wine for an incredible meal!
Check out this recipe
Seared Scallops with Creamy Curried Leeks
Tender scallops seared and served with a creamy curried leak sauce.
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
Recipe for Sisteron Braised Lamb with Orange and Fennel it’s Delicious
November 14, 2023
When the sun sets early on cold days, nothing is quite like the inviting aroma of Sisteron braised lamb simmered in the oven. Orange and fennel combine with the meat for a warm, zesty flavour. In Provence, lamb from Sisteron in the Alpes de Haute Provence is considered some of the best in the region. …
Crispy Salmon with a Lemony Risotto Recipe
January 12, 2022
Salmon is a rich-flavoured fish that pairs well with most rosés but immediately came to mind as a fantastic pairing for our La Réserve Rosé as it mirrors some of the essential aromas and flavours of this limited edition wine. Please ensure you source your salmon as sustainably as possible for this crispy salmon risotto …
Chicken, Carrot and Apricot Tagine Recipe
July 14, 2020
Here’s a recipe for chicken, carrot and apricot tagine that will take you straight to Morocco via France. Sweet, savoury, and quick to prepare. This beautiful tagine conjures up images of spice-filled Marrakesh. No need to go to North Africa, though, to enjoy this deliciously sweet and savoury dish. You find tasty tagines on menus …
Swordfish with Mediterranean-Style Stuffing
January 30, 2019
This recipe for Involtini di Pesce Spada is Italian at its base; however, all of the ingredients found in Provence. It is not uncommon that the local fish vendor displays fresh espadon on their stand.…
1 Comment
Delicioso, me encantaría probar esta delicia. Un abrazo.