Christmas

Potato Gratin, in the Style of SimonĀ Hopkinson

by:
November 18, 2013
4.7
3 Ratings
  • Prep time 25 minutes
  • Cook time 45 minutes
  • Serves 4 or more
Author Notes

Adapted from Simon Hopkinson's recipe for Gratin de Jabron, this bistro dish is the perfect accompaniment to roasted meats, or a steak dinner. The butter and cream (clearly this is not a low fat recipe,) infused with garlic and herbs, cloak the potatoes in a rich, velvety veil of deliciousness. Grab a spoon, and dig in.

Simon steams his spuds to retain more of the potato flavor, which I think is a brilliant technique. I use my rice cooker for this job. Just make sure not to cook the potatoes all the way through. Check them after 15 minutes, as potatoes may not all be equal in size. You want them to resist a little, since they're going into the oven for a spell. —mrslarkin

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 pounds Idaho potatoes, or other starchy potato
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 sprig of fresh thyme
  • 1 large bay leaf, or a few small ones
  • 4 ounces unsalted butter (8 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • salt and pepper
Directions
  1. Steam the whole potatoes until almost cooked through. Let cool. Peel and slice thickly.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  3. In a small saucepan, place the butter, garlic, thyme and bay leaves over medium/low heat. The garlic should not color at all. When butter has melted, turn off heat.
  4. In a large baking dish with 2" high sides (mine is a 10" x 13" oval), spoon the garlic pieces into the dish, spreading them out. Save the butter for the next step.
  5. Layer the sliced potatoes over the garlic. Spoon the remaining melted butter over the potatoes, discarding the bay leaves and thyme branch. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Mix the milk and cream together and pour over the potatoes. Another sprinkle of salt and pepper, optional. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is nicely golden brown and bubbly, and the milk and cream have thickened.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • MenCanCook
    MenCanCook
  • Panfusine
    Panfusine
  • mrslarkin
    mrslarkin
  • Muse
    Muse

5 Reviews

MenCanCook January 30, 2015
Sounds great, Mrs. Larkin! Will be trying this shortly...
 
Panfusine November 18, 2013
Loving this.. sounds amazing!
 
mrslarkin November 18, 2013
Thanks Panfusine. Let me know if you try it!
 
Muse November 18, 2013
I am definitely a potato-aholic and this recipe is just what I'm looking for! Thank you for posting it...Peace, Light and Love.
 
mrslarkin November 18, 2013
You're welcome, Muse! Right back at ya. Let me know if you try it.