Description
Hearty potatoes au gratin combine layers of sliced potatoes with rich, melted cheese and cream. Comfort cuisine from France delivers pure satisfaction for those craving indulgent side dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) red potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (226 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup (113 g) gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (473 ml) milk
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) butter
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) flour
- 1 tsp (5 ml) dry mustard powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and generously grease a 2.5-3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Potato Preparation: Thoroughly wash potatoes and slice into translucent ⅛-inch rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife, creating uniform, delicate pieces.
- Layering Foundation: Construct an elegant accordion-like arrangement of potato slices in the casserole, strategically interweaving thin onion rings between each layer to enhance flavor complexity.
- Sauce Creation: In a heavy saucepan, develop a golden roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until achieving a nutty, fragrant base, then smoothly incorporate dry mustard, milk, salt, and pepper to craft a silky sauce.
- Cheese Integration: Remove sauce from heat and gently fold in shredded cheeses, stirring until achieving a glossy, fully integrated mixture that coats each potato slice luxuriously.
- Initial Baking Phase: Cover dish with greased foil and bake for 60 minutes, allowing potatoes to steam and become tender, creating a foundational softness.
- Final Browning: Uncover the gratin and return to oven for an additional 25-30 minutes, developing a rich golden-brown surface and ensuring potatoes are completely soft when tested with a fork.
- Resting Period: Allow gratin to rest 15-20 minutes, permitting layers to settle and sauce to slightly thicken, enhancing overall texture and flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Slice Precision: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform 1/8-inch potato slices, ensuring consistent cooking and elegant presentation.
- Roux Mastery: Whisk butter and flour carefully to develop a golden, nutty base without burning, which creates the foundation for a silky smooth sauce.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a glossy, perfectly blended mixture.
- Resting Magic: Allow the gratin to rest 15-20 minutes after baking, letting layers settle and sauce thicken for optimal texture and flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 80-90 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg