Browsed by
Tag: potatoes

Gratin Dauphinois

Gratin Dauphinois

Comments 0 Comment
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Recipe from Elizabeth E. Skipper

This quintessential French dish differs from most potato gratins in that there is no cheese used. Try this and you will never miss the cheese again.

See “How to cook the perfect gratin dauphinois” for more information.

  • 1-2cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1-2TBS butter, softened
  • Kosher salt
  • pepper
  • nutmeg
  • 3-5lbs Russet potatoes (see below for quantity)
  • 1-4cups heavy cream

Press or smack the garlic to get the juice flowing. Rub inside of baking dish with garlic. Let the garlic dry on the dish. Now butter the dish generously.

The size of the baking dish sets the quantities:

1½ quart: 3 pounds potatoes, 1 to 1½ cups of heavy cream

8 x 11: 3 pounds potatoes, 2 to 2½ cups of heavy cream

9 x 13: 5 pounds potatoes, 1 quart of heavy cream

Slice the potatoes thin. Use mandolin or food processor with the slicer attachment, thinner is best.

Place a single layer of potatoes in the bottom of dish. Salt fairly heavily. Add “enough” pepper. Sprinkle on very little nutmeg. Pour on some heavy cream. Continue adding layers, seasoning and cream. Cover the top layer with cream.

Bake: (for 1½ quart baking dish, larger dish may need more time)

325°F oven, 1¾ – 2 hours,

350°F oven, 1½ hours.

400°F oven, 1 – 1¼ hours.

Test with skewer or long tined fork. Should be tender in center, browned on top. If it gets too brown, lower temperature or cover loosely with foil.

Fisherman’s Pie

Fisherman’s Pie

Comments 0 Comment
Yield: 6 Servings
Adapted from Chef John / Food Wishes

A good alternative to plain baked fish. I make this with cod because haddock is just about unheard of on the west coast.

  • For potato crust:
  • 3russet potatoes
  • 3TBS butter
  • nutmeg, salt, pepper, cayenne to taste
  • ½cup milk
  • For the sauce:
  • 3TBS butter
  • 3TBS flour
  • 2cloves garlic, minced
  • 2cups cold milk
  • 2tsp lemon zest
  • salt to taste
  • For the rest:
  • 1TBS butter to grease dish
  • salt, pepper, cayenne to taste
  • 2½lb boneless cod or haddock filets
  • 12oz washed baby spinach
  • juice of ½ lemon
  • fresh chives to garnish

Add russet potatoes a large saucepan of water until covered by and inch. Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil.  Cook until very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well. Mash in 3 tablespoons butter until thoroughly combined. Season with nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Mash 1/2 cup milk into potato mixture until smooth.

Drizzle olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add spinach, and season with a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach has wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl lined with paper towels to wick away excess moisture.

Heat 3 TBS butter and flour in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk mixture to a smooth paste. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture has a nutty smell and is slightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add chopped garlic; whisk until fragrant, 10 to 20 seconds.

Whisk 1 cup cold milk into flour mixture; cook until thickened. Whisk in remaining 1 cup milk and lemon zest. Bring white sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly; season with salt. Turn heat to very low and keep sauce warm.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×12-inch casserole dish with 1 tablespoon butter.

Season buttered pan with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Lay boneless cod fillets into the pan in a single layer. Season tops of fillets with more salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Spread spinach evenly over fish and drizzle with lemon juice. Spoon white sauce over spinach; give casserole dish several taps and shakes to eliminate bubbles.

Drop mashed potatoes by heaping spoonfuls over the casserole and spread smoothly to cover. Place dish onto a rimmed baking sheet to catch spills.

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 40 minutes. Turn on oven’s broiler and broil until potato crust has a golden brown top, about 2 minutes. Fish should flake easily. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of chives.