Ormer Casserole with Herb Crust

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ormers (abalone) 500g (1.1 lb) ormers (abalone)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) fish or vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) fish or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the herb crust: For the herb crust:
• 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 14g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Clean the ormers thoroughly and slice them into thin pieces.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the sliced ormers to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to turn opaque.
5. 5.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for another 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Stir in the heavy cream, fresh parsley, fresh thyme leaves, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
8. 8.
   In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, fresh basil, fresh chives, fresh dill, and melted butter. Mix well.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle the herb crust mixture evenly over the ormer mixture in the casserole dish.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the herb crust is golden brown and crispy.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ormers (abalone) — Ensure that the ormers are cleaned thoroughly before slicing them. If fresh ormers are not available, you can use frozen or canned abalone as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispy herb crust, make sure to evenly distribute the breadcrumb mixture over the casserole.
• For a lighter version, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk.
• Serve the Ormer Casserole with a side of fresh lemon wedges to add a tangy element to each bite.
• If you prefer a more pronounced herb flavor, you can increase the amount of fresh herbs in the herb crust mixture.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for a delicious next-day meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Ormer Casserole hot, straight from the oven. Garnish with additional fresh herbs for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Presentation advice

Present the Ormer Casserole in individual serving dishes or in a large casserole dish at the center of the table. The golden-brown herb crust should be visible, enticing your guests with its crispy texture.