All week long, Mimi Thorisson -- the blogger behind the beautiful blog Manger -- will be sharing recipes and stories from her new book, A Kitchen in France. Follow along to win a book + a bundle of Staub cookware each day, so you can pretend like you also live in the French countryside.
Today: When fries just won't cut it, Mimi turns to butternut squash.
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I’m as fond as anyone of a simple steak frites dinner. Sometimes I make a Béarnaise sauce, but sometimes, especially if the wine is good, it’s enough to serve the steak with just a spoonful of Dijon mustard. I always have some greens to go with it, steamed haricots verts or spinach or just a simple salad.
Sometimes I have a small steak and lots of spinach. That’s when my husband thinks I’ve read some article and I’m suddenly on a diet. But that would never happen. It’s just that sometimes French fries are…well, not exactly what I am looking for, and then I need an alternative. If it’s squash season, this gratin is one of the best. Steak pairs really well with roasted squash, and this gratin version makes the duo even more satisfying.
More: Make your table look like Mimi's (well, almost) -- pick up this Staub gratin dish on Provisions.
Serves 4
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 1/2 pounds butternut squash (about 1 large), peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
3/4 cup grated Comté cheese
A few fresh chives, finely chopped
See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.
Photos by Oddur Thorisson
Every day this week, we're giving away a copy of A Kitchen in France and a bundle of Mimi's favorite Staub cookware! To win today's copy, tell us in the comments: What's your favorite gratin? We'll choose winners this Friday, October 31st. (U.S. entrants only, please!)
Update: Lakelurelady, onetinyspark, Double Helping, TerryKes, and rhubarb! rhubarb! rhubarb! are our winners! Enjoy your copies of A Kitchen in France and Staub cookware.
The Magical Mini Guide to Cozy Weekends
The Magical Mini Guide to Cozy Weekends
Whether you're in the mood for some soup-simmering, leaf-peeping, or nothing at all, your dream weekend awaits...
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Written by: Mimi Thorisson
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153 Comments
Rebecca D.
October 30, 2014
Decided on a whim to try something new. Found a great recipe for zucchini and spinach gratin, and then added some gruyere. Yummy!
Tierney
October 30, 2014
My favorite gratin is classic potato, with carmelized onion and a bit of rosemary.
caroline G.
October 30, 2014
sweet potato and thyme in mini muffin tins for perfectly portioned servings!
Jennie B.
October 30, 2014
I think this one would probably rise to the top of the list! I <3 butternut squash!
Jon A.
October 30, 2014
Any gratin my wife makes, because without her I'd be lost and just another fool in the kitchen!
Lauren
October 30, 2014
Gratin Dauphinois is my favorite. I used Jacques Pepin's recipe the first time I made it, my husband said it was the best thing he had ever eaten.
daphne
October 30, 2014
I love a potato gratin, but some of these other ones in the comments sound delicious!
CaseyAnne
October 30, 2014
I love a gratin of winter greens, which I like to serve as a vegetarian main dish with a bright salad with champagne vinaigrette on the side.
Carolyn
October 30, 2014
A riff on Deb's Sweet Potato and Swiss Chard gratin with Gruyere from smitten kitchen has become a crowd-pleaser every Thanksgiving and makes an equally pleasing winter treat to warm up on cold mid-week nights!
lakelurelady
October 30, 2014
I make a butternut squash and potato gratin topped with sourdough bread crumbs, bacon and Gruyere cheese.
Colleen
October 30, 2014
Deborah Madison's damaged goods gratin of tomatoes eggplant and chard from her book Vegetable Literacy is so so good!
Phillie F.
October 30, 2014
i just made Mimi's butternut squash gratin last night and it is now my favorite gratin. Comte cheese is now my favorite cheese. Prior to this cooking/baking, my favorite gratin was a classic potato gratin served with a sweet/savory tomato jam.
Jessi
October 30, 2014
This will be my first time making homemade gratin! I believe it will remain a favorite simply because of that! Perfectly lovely!
Chocowagon
October 30, 2014
Coming from a small agricultural town, where at family gatherings the food spread consisted of meat, potatoes, and bread...'scalloped' potatoes, or potato gratin as I later learned, was my first introduction to broiled deliciousness. I am pleased that my diet and has grown exponentially since. I have food bloggers to thank for that. My favorite gratin is now Smitten Kitchens cauliflower gratin, adapted from Ina Garten. Yum!
Atelier A.
October 30, 2014
A choufleur au gratin is my absolute favorite. In the style of M.F.K.Fisher with lovely thick cream.
Emily
October 29, 2014
Potatoes always win over my heart! Add leeks, garlic and always butter and cream. Perfect.
Rita
October 29, 2014
My favorite is a french recipe my host mother in college made me called tartiflette. Potatoes, lardons, cream, gruyere. Very rich but so satisfying with a side salad with a dijon vinaigrette.
Gwenhwyfar
October 29, 2014
I like potatoes and cream with leeks! I will make up any variation of potato gratin and be happy, but this one looks like one to try as well!
rina L.
October 29, 2014
I love Leek+Yukon gold+sweet potato with sage infused cream! I make this for thanksgiving every other year.
Ginny E.
October 29, 2014
I love a gratin of caramel iced onion and sweet dumpling squash...with some sage, cream and, if you're feeling extra-decadent, a crumble of smoky bacon to finish.
Alison
October 29, 2014
It's hard to pick one but I'm a big fan of cauliflower gratin - healthy and delicious!
Janet B.
October 29, 2014
Macaroni and cheese, but only with a selection of really great cheeses, good pasta and the best bread crumbs you can find or make. Yummm, ultimate comfort food!
Natalya
October 29, 2014
One of my favorites is a Cheddar, Leek and Crab (preferably from Maine) Gratin!
camille
October 29, 2014
my favorite gratin is my mum's 'gratin aux blettes' (Swiss chard gratin, with béchamel, nutmeg and comte)
Morgan B.
October 29, 2014
Does potato pavé count as a fancied up gratin? I think it does. Made it for a dinner party recently and my guests were pretty impressed. Beautiful and tasty.
Jenna C.
October 29, 2014
Starting around this time of year, I like to make a gratin with dark leafy greens (kale, chard, mustard) and Gruyère. Grill some sausage, pour a red wine, and it is dinner!
Katiebs
October 29, 2014
I love a simple potato, leek gratin. Depending upon what's in season, perhaps layered with asparagus or some root veggies and thyme
AntoniaJames
October 29, 2014
Favorite gratin? That's one of the "favorite child" questions . . . . . a family favorite here is fennel, braised stove top briefly and then put into a gratin dish, drizzled with cream and a pinch of nutmeg, and topped with a fine layer of parmigiano and/or asiago, and cooked in a hot oven with the help of the broiler, if necessary, until crisp brown on top. ;o)
Peter
October 29, 2014
Gratin with any vegetable in season topped with a thick bechemel, gruyere cheese, and some oil-drizzled panko breadcrumbs will always win my heart <3
Judi
October 29, 2014
Artichoke hearts gratinata: sautéed with a little chili flake and parsley, deglazed with chicken stock and Marsala, baked with a topping of parmesan and breadcrumbs. Easy with frozen artichoke hearts, and good for every day or for company.
SeeSee
October 29, 2014
Potatoes always win my heart but this butternut squash recipe will be made this week, it sounds pretty perfect! I never get tired of country French cooking...
Beth H.
October 29, 2014
Beth
I love making a gratin with winter greens; kale and mustard greens (almost over abundant all winter); which when dressed up with a garlic and gruyere bechamel, fresh bread crumbs, and topped with parmesan trick my finicky eaters into cleaning their plates!
I love making a gratin with winter greens; kale and mustard greens (almost over abundant all winter); which when dressed up with a garlic and gruyere bechamel, fresh bread crumbs, and topped with parmesan trick my finicky eaters into cleaning their plates!
jamcook
October 29, 2014
Also, an onion gratin that I make for Thanksgiving, and everyone calls ,"THOSE ONIONS !"
C.Hayashino
October 29, 2014
My favorite gratin is a spaghetti squash + kale gratin with spicy sausage. Yum! I love Mimi and her delightful blog as well!
Chelsea K.
October 29, 2014
I love all gratins! Alice Waters has a chard gratin in her "The Art of Simple Food" that is great. It uses the chard stems and leaves. It isn't too full of cheese and cream, so it feels rather virtuous!
Gina G.
October 29, 2014
I have never made a gratin so I think I need to win this so I can choose my favorites! :)
dandelioneyes
October 29, 2014
Spaghetti squash gratin becomes, essentially, a baked alfredo. Amazing comfort food!
Kristi M.
October 29, 2014
I love a potato gratin with lots of herbs and tangy cheese. Oh and garlic...can't forget a bunch of garlic tucked inside.
aargersi
October 29, 2014
Can the answer just be "yes"? I make a sweet potato and onion gratin every Thanksgiving that's popular, but I also like them with apples or pears tucked in with something savory - white potatoes, celery root, and lots of herbs.
mrsfurious
October 29, 2014
When I visited my sister in Italy years ago she made me a veg tatin with young zucchini, yellow squash and ripe tomatoes. Thyme and a hint of cheese. I've never forgotten!
Maayan
October 29, 2014
Sweet potato-chipotle gratin is my favorite. Non traditional, but delicious.
gingerroot
October 29, 2014
During fall/winter, nothing beats my grandmother's version of classic potato gratin - she'd always include it at Christmas. For warmer months though, I love the variation of Suzanne Goin's summer squash gratin with salsa verde and gruyere that Amanda posted here a while back.
FP
October 29, 2014
Besides the classic potato, cauliflower, or zucchini versions, I'm partial to peach gratin.
jamcook
October 29, 2014
Always potatoes dauphinoise ; my favorite to serve on any special occasion. There have to be other people around , or I would eat it all myself,
Bradley M.
October 28, 2014
My friends and I really liked the autumn root vegetable gratin with herbs and cheese featured here. SO to Merrill for that one. Infused dairy is a wonderful thing.
Michael J.
October 28, 2014
A variation of a Nigella Lawson recipe, Parsnip, Potato and Porcini Mushroom Gratin... add bacon and preferably white cheddar.
Megan
October 28, 2014
Well after I make this, probably butternut squash! Thanks for the recipe and giveaways.
Athena
October 28, 2014
My recent favorite is smittenkitchen's summer squash gratin with salsa verde.
[email protected]
October 28, 2014
if you want to have a fun time, try green bean and artichoke. that's great stuff!
clare
October 28, 2014
I made a pumpkin gratin that I saw on Jacques Pepin's PBS cooking show a few years ago for Thanksgiving! It was amazing and a fun savory twist on pumpkin pie.
NotTooSweet
October 28, 2014
My favorite is a Root Vegetable Gratin from Bon Appetit that never fails to produce a serious chorus of yum around the table. Of course, I haven't had the chance to try Mimi's yet!
issybee
October 28, 2014
Fennel gratin. Second favorite is cauliflower gratin. My mom is French so I grew up loving all sorts of vegetables and those in gratin form best of all!
amysarah
October 28, 2014
Potato gratin of course, but also love cauliflower. But this recipe looks so fantastic, it might become my new favorite. Perfect for Thanksgiving too.
inpatskitchen
October 28, 2014
I love potato gratins and if I may say, this is one of our favorites:
https://food52.com/recipes/14407-fall-pear-and-potato-gratin
https://food52.com/recipes/14407-fall-pear-and-potato-gratin
annbaroq8
October 28, 2014
I do love a good cauliflower gratin with just a little hot sauce for fun.
Charlene C.
October 28, 2014
My all time favorite gratin is a rich creamy cauliflower one topped with breadcrumbs.
Colleen M.
October 28, 2014
Before now, it was sweet potato, but butternut is my absolute fave, making this dish tonight!
hongermaier
October 28, 2014
I love any potato in gratin form - yukon, russet, sweet, purple. I'm a fan!
adastragirl
October 28, 2014
Potato gratin, one with rich & flavorful cheeses. Though this one might be my next favorite.
tanager
October 28, 2014
This looks fabulous! I need to venture beyond our favorite potato gratin (and convince my family to come along).
Amanda B.
October 28, 2014
This looks amazing, I might want to give this a try before I decide what my favorite is. But for now, I will say that a good old fashioned yukon gold potato gratin is my favorite. Maybe with a little pancetta in it.
See what other Food52 readers are saying.