gratin

recipes

Potatoes au Gratin Is Comfort Food at Its Finest

Those who are passionate about potatoes au gratin seem to fall into two camps: those who prepare the dish with cheese, and those who skip it, insisting that cream, when reduced properly, imbues the dish with umami-packed cheesy goodness.

Those who are passionate about potatoes au gratin seem to fall into two camps: those who prepare the dish with cheese, and those who skip it, insisting that cream, when reduced properly, imbues the dish with umami-packed cheesy goodness. Now, I'd like to say that I fall into the latter purist camp, but let's be real: as delightful as cream is, it will never hold the same place in my heart as a hearty helping of tangy-twangy Gruyère cheese. This version reflects that.

Cooked to perfection at high heat, this très Francais side is comfort food, elevated. It rounds out near any manner of meals wonderfully. Or, if you're feeling truly indulgent, make it the star of a meal, supplemented by a crisp green salad — your secret's safe with me.

Add the recipe to your repertoire.

recipes

Gratin Is a Delish Make-Ahead Alternative to Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes may be a traditional Thanksgiving side, but they aren't the most practical for serving a large crowd.

Mashed potatoes may be a traditional Thanksgiving side, but they aren't the most practical for serving a large crowd. They're best freshly made, and although you can keep them warm over a pot of simmering water, who has time or stovetop space for that?

If you're attending a potluck and in charge of bringing a potato side, make this wildly delicious layered potato gratin. The half-and-half is infused with roasted garlic, rosemary, and thyme before being poured over the thinly sliced potato rounds. Instead of regular old cheddar or parmesan, the ingredient list calls for manchego and smoked gouda.

The resulting dish is insane! The top is crispy and cheesy, and the potatoes melt in your mouth. It really is a spectacular side that would be excellent paired with any roast like turkey, ham, or whole beef tenderloin. To check out the recipe, read more.

fast and easy

Fast & Easy Dinner: Baked Cod Casserole

If you're looking for a way to introduce your children to the wonderful world of fish, I highly recommend starting with this simple recipe.

If you're looking for a way to introduce your children to the wonderful world of fish, I highly recommend starting with this simple recipe. It takes a mild, firm white fish, such as cod, and coats it in a delectable topping of sautéed onions, wheat bread, and cheese. It's sort of like a fish gratin and is lightly seasoned with garlic powder and paprika. The resulting dish is far from "fishy" — instead it's succulent and delicious. Serve with a green salad, buttered pasta, or roasted veggies. Get the recipe and read more

summer

Five Minutes of Effort Yields a Rustic Tomato & Bread Gratin

At his seminar in Aspen, French cooking authority Jacques Pépin had a lot to say about boiling the world's most perfect eggs.

At his seminar in Aspen, French cooking authority Jacques Pépin had a lot to say about boiling the world's most perfect eggs. While doing so, he also managed to make six stunning tomato dishes, using a number of in-season varieties, including a stacked Greek tomato salad, tomato-laced spaghetti with anchovies, and a tomato-bread gratin.

I just so happened to return from the neighborhood farmers market bearing a loaf of fresh-baked bread and vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, so I combined those with Parmesan to make Jacques's gratin. The simplistic French country dish highlights the seasonality of sweet cherry tomatoes, so don't skimp on quality ingredients, and be sure to buy local tomatoes. Get your hands on the recipe, which requires only five minutes of prep, after the break.

recipes

Say Cheese! Gruyere Gratin With Thyme

Gruyere cheese is a popular hard cheese made from cow's milk.

Gruyere cheese is a popular hard cheese made from cow's milk. With origins in Switzerland, it is perhaps the best known type of Swiss cheese. Gruyere is also produced in France, but according to French agricultural law, it must have holes, while the Swiss version is solid. This slightly yellow cheese has a nutty flavor that's mildly salty and varies with age. Gruyere is great for both melting (it's a common ingredient in fondue) and eating out of hand. To see how I used this wonderfully creamy cheese, read more

fast and easy

Fast & Easy Dinner: Potato "Lasagna"

Although this hearty dish is called a "lasagna," it's somewhere between the classic potato gratin and the old-school casserole.


Although this hearty dish is called a "lasagna," it's somewhere between the classic potato gratin and the old-school casserole. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes are topped with canned tomatoes and a bacon-spinach mixture. Grated cheese finishes off the one-pan meal that pairs perfectly with a simple green salad.

While it needs 45 minutes in the oven, the prep time is minimal. To learn how to make this crowd-pleasing, innovative dish, read more

recipes

6 Tempting Gratin Dishes

In the dead of Winter, during a period of economic stress, there's nothing more appetizing than down-home comfort foods.
Slideshow: Six Gratin Dishes

In the dead of Winter, during a period of economic stress, there's nothing more appetizing than down-home comfort foods. While mac and cheese, burgers, and pot pies get a lot of press, I have to argue that the title of The Ultimate Comfort Food should go to the gratin. Coined after an obsolete French term for "grater," a gratin is a very loosely defined dish: it's simply any course that's topped with browned crumbs, butter, and cheese. Read on to see six different renditions of this homestyle dish.

Thanksgiving

Come Party With Me: Fast Thanksgiving — Menu

Many people think that serving your family a classic, delicious Thanksgiving requires days of work in the kitchen.

Many people think that serving your family a classic, delicious Thanksgiving requires days of work in the kitchen. However, with a little culinary savviness, one can make a complete meal in a couple of hours. Pick up store-bought snacks to tide over your crowd until turkey time. Put together a simple cheese plate with olives, nuts, figs, and charcuterie.

Cut cook time in half by serving a roasted turkey breast instead of a whole turkey. Keep the stuffing simple and the flavoring ingredients to a minimum. A gravy that doesn't require turkey drippings is another time saver. Combine the sweet potato side with the traditional mashed potatoes. Make a quick cranberry sauce with sugar, cranberries, and water. Serve one vegetable side in the form of a crunchy broccoli-cauliflower gratin. To look at these fast and easy recipes, read more

recipes

Fast & Easy Dinner: Polenta Gratin with Mushrooms and Fontina

Sometimes there just isn't enough time to make a complete meal from scratch, so don't be ashamed to take help from the grocery store.

Sometimes there just isn't enough time to make a complete meal from scratch, so don't be ashamed to take help from the grocery store. If you enhance the taste by mixing in a couple of fresh ingredients, your family will never notice that you took help from the supermarket. This delectable dinner combines fresh mushrooms, basil, and fontina — with premade polenta and pasta sauce. The final vegetarian dish is filled with flavor and surprisingly delightful.

To check out the recipe — another great one from our friends at MyRecipes.com — read more

recipes

Unexpectedly Good Side: Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Don't you feel sorry for Brussels sprouts?

Don't you feel sorry for Brussels sprouts? They have a horrible reputation, and I don't understand why. When cooked correctly and paired with enhancing flavors, Brussels sprouts are actually a wonderfully delicious vegetable. Pancetta or bacon, fresh thyme, and chestnuts complement Brussels sprouts' taste.

This gratin, however, is made with Parmesan, roasted garlic, and proscuitto. It pairs nicely with roasted pork or beef. For a vegetarian meal, serve the gratin alongside a pasta or sandwich. To give this underrated vegetable a little love, read more