Summer Party Mini Verrines

Unless you have a seafood allergy, I have never known anyone who did not like (make that – love) scallops. What  great way to bring your “A” game to the patio/deck for one and all.

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 small piece of lime peel
• pinch of pepper
• 6 tbsp. of the heaviest whipping cream you can buy
• 3 oz. Asiago cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 24 button mushrooms, quartered
• 48 small scallops
• 1 tsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. panko crumbs
• 2 tbsp. grated Asiago cheese
• 2 tbsp. fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped

In a small pan, cook the butter and flour over medium heat for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the milk,  thyme and pepper, combining well. Cook now for 3 minutes until thickened.

Remove from heat, add the cream and cheese and return the sauce to the stove, reducing the temperature to low. Stir now until the cheese has melted. Season to taste and keep warm.

Heat the oil in a pan and cook the mushrooms until the liquid has gone and they are starting to brown (6-8 minutes). Remove from pan and keep warm as well.

Season the scallops, place a saute pan over the heat, add the butter and when sizzling, sear the scallops in two batches for 30 seconds on each side.

Combine the panko crumbs, cheese and parsley.

Set out 24 shot glasses. In each glass, place a heaping tbsp. of warm bechamel on the bottom, top with 4 pieces of mushrooms, add two scallops and finish with the breadcrumb mixture.

Serve immediately.