Description
Potato gratin brings comfort and elegance to dinner tables with layers of rich, golden cheese and thinly sliced potatoes. Crisp edges, velvety centers, and a hearty aroma invite you to savor each delectable forkful of this classic French side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (900 g) potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Gruyere cheese (or a mix of cheeses)
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Preparation Ingredient:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish by greasing with butter and set oven temperature to 375F (190C).
- Rinse potato slices in cold water to prevent discoloration and drain thoroughly.
- Whisk together heavy cream, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl until well combined.
- Create the first potato layer in the greased baking dish, ensuring even coverage.
- Drizzle cream mixture over potato layer, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Sprinkle grated cheese across the initial layer to enhance flavor and texture.
- Repeat layering process with remaining potatoes, cream mixture, and cheese, building multiple tiers.
- Ensure the final layer is topped with a generous cheese coating for golden crust development.
- Cover the baking dish completely with aluminum foil to retain moisture during initial baking.
- Bake for 45 minutes while covered to allow potatoes to soften and absorb cream mixture.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 25-30 minutes until surface turns golden brown and edges become crispy.
- Remove from oven and let gratin rest for 15 minutes to stabilize and set before serving.
- Slice and serve warm, allowing guests to enjoy the rich, creamy potato layers.
Notes
- Pat potatoes dry thoroughly after soaking to ensure crispy, golden edges and prevent soggy texture.
- Use a mandoline slicer for uniformly thin potato slices, which helps create even cooking and consistent layers.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, Parmesan, or sharp cheddar to add depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream, reducing overall calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg