Gratin | Ski Boots in the Kitchen

This is one of my holiday staples. I made it for Christmas last year and Thanksgiving this year. I love scalloped potatoes of any kind but this combination of sweet potatoes and fresh herbs is so delicious! I got this recipe from an old Bon Appetit magazine back in 2008. Its a huge crowd pleaser, simple and bound to be a hit at your next gathering! Enjoy!

Scalloped Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Gratin (Click for Printer friendly version)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes
1 1/2 pounds medium red-skinned sweet potatoes
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups (packed) coarsely grated Gruyere cheese (I used Jarlsberg)

Working with 1 Yukon Gold potato at a time, peel then cut into 1/8-inch-think rounds and place in a bowl of cold water. Repeat with Sweet Potatoes. (I used my cuisnart to cut the potatoes, a mandolin or sharp knife will also work)

Combine cream, butter, and garlic in medium sauce pan bring to a simmer (this will boil over so make sure to watch it… I forgot this..) Remove from heat. Mix all herbs in small bowl. Mix salt and pepper in another small bowl.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 13x9x2 inch glass baking dish. Drain potatoes, then pat dry with kitchen towels. Transfer half of potatoes to prepared baking dish using your hands to spread evenly. Sprinkle with half of salt and pepper mixture, half the herb mixture and half the cheese.

Repeat process with remaining potatoes, salt and pepper, herbs and cheese. Pour cream mixture over gratin, pressing lightly to submerge potato mixture as much as possible. Cover tightly with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until top of gratin is golden and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes; serve.

Serves 12. This can be made 6 hours ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until you are ready to bake.

In between cooking, baking and eating, Jake and I went out for a few runs.

We rounded off our Thanksgiving meal (and our belly’s) with Uncle Jay’s Cheesecake. YUM!

It’s fall and fall means pumpkin season! Pumpkins and squash are my favorite to cook- they have great flavor and are easy to prepare. This yummy recipe is super easy and a healthy alternative to the classic potato gratin (which I also love)! I got this recipe from the Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco. Their monthly news letters always have great seasonally inspired recipes. Enjoy!

Pumpkin, Spinach, and Tomato Gratin

Ingredients:

3 lb. sugar pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch wedges.
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 lb. fresh spinach leaves
1 28-oz. can San Marino tomatoes
1 1/2 lb. cave-aged Gruyere cheese

Pre-heat oven to 400. To cook the sugar pumpkin, place it on a baking sheet, coat with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Roast in a 400 degree oven, until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork (about 20-30 minutes). Turn half way through the cooking, so that it browns slightly on both sides. (I used sugar pumpkin when I made this but I would recommend using butternut squash instead).

While the pumpkin or squash is baking in the oven wilt the spinach. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Drop hand full of spinach into boiling water until wilted. Remove spinach from water with tongs and place on baking sheet lined with paper towels until all the spinach is cooked.

Next, cut tomatoes in half and set a side the juices. I used San Marino tomatoes since the fresh ones in the store didn’t look amazing. Grate cheese on large holes of box grater. I used Jarlsberg cheese, I prefer its flavor.

To assemble, line a Pyrex or ceramic baking dish (about 14 by 10 inches) with a layer of squash, cover with the spinach, then the tomatoes, cut side up. Sprinkle with the grated cheese. Bake in 350 oven, until the tomatoes and cheese have melted, about 30 minutes. Serves 8.

This dish is great served with chicken, fish or enjoyed on its own. I used the leftover juices from the tomatoes to make my own version of chicken Parmesan.

Easy Chicken Parm

For the Chicken I took 4 chicken breasts and dipped them in 1 egg (whisked). I dredged them in Panko Bread crumbs and placed them in a skillet coated with olive oil on high heat. Let the chicken breast cook about 4-5 minutes on one side before flipping and turning down the heat to medium-low and covering. Let chicken cook for another 10 minutes on low before pouring remaining tomato juices and topping with grated Parmesan cheese. Cover and turn the off heat. Let chicken marinate for a couple of minutes covered on the stove. Serve with Pumpkin Gratin and Enjoy!