Comfort Food- Potato Gratin

A gratin is a French technique where ingredients are combined with eggs and cheese and breadcrumbs.  It is usually served in a shallow dish.  A gratin is comfort food at it's best, especially if potatoes are involved.

I found a recipe for a potato gratin on Facebook which I will share with you.  Here is a link.  The precise amounts of the ingredients aren't given, but I can tell you what I did.  You can click on the link and watch the video to see the technique and process.

I boiled six good-sized white potatoes until fork tender.  I slipped the skins off and mashed the potatoes with a couple of pats of butter and some salt and pepper.  I added maybe 1/4 cup of milk to loosen them up a bit.  Then I added three eggs, mixing well after each addition.  I added about a half cup of breadcrumbs to thicken things up a bit. Then I added a cup of mixed chunks of cheddar cheese (mild, sharp and white) and a cup of diced ham.  I spooned this potato/egg mixture into a buttered and breadcrumbed shallow baking dish (an oval one about 7 x 9).  I smoothed out the top and spread a beaten egg over the top and sprinkled on some more breadcrumbs.

I popped it into a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.

I loved the fact that making this did not completely total my kitchen.  Basically, you use one big pot to boil the potatoes and combine all the ingredients right into it before spooning the mixture into the baking dish.  No mess, very little fuss and lots of stick to your ribs good eating.

So, here is an idea.  This would make an amazing make-ahead side dish.  Leave out the ham, and this recipe would be wonderful with a steak or roast of any kind.  You could assemble it earlier in the day and bake just before serving.

Hope your week is going well.  Eva has a rotten cold, and when I picked her up from school today she was pretty miserable.  We got out some ointment for her raw red nose, a big soft handkerchief that had been washed a million times, and made a cup of chamomile tea.  Undoubtedly we will all be sharing this ailment in the next week or so.  Sigh.  Monday is a holiday here in the US (Veteran's Day).  If you know any vets, give them a hug and a thank you.