Description
Creamy potatoes au gratin deliver rich cheesy comfort with layers of sliced potatoes and melted cheese. Crisp golden edges and silky interior invite hungry diners to savor each delicious forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) red potatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 cup (240 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 3 tbsps butter
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dry mustard powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 400°F, creating the perfect environment for a golden, bubbling potato dish.
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice potatoes and onions into delicate, uniformly thin discs using a mandoline, ensuring even cooking and elegant presentation.
- Layer Ingredients: Artfully arrange potato and onion slices vertically in a greased casserole dish, creating a visually appealing and flavorful foundation.
- Craft Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, and cook until fragrant. Incorporate mustard powder, gradually add milk, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Finalize Sauce: Remove from heat and blend in cheddar and gruyere cheeses until the sauce becomes a glossy, creamy mixture.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour cheese sauce over the layered potatoes, ensuring complete coverage. Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for 20-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for 15 minutes, letting flavors meld and sauce set before presenting this decadent potato gratin.
Notes
- Slice with Precision: Use a mandoline for consistently thin potato and onion slices to ensure even cooking and a professional texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Foil Protection Strategy: Cover with foil during initial baking to steam potatoes, then uncover to achieve a golden-brown crispy top.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow the dish to rest 15 minutes after baking to let flavors meld and sauce slightly set for easier serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg