For such a rich and flavor forward dish, making potatoes au gratins is surprisingly easy...
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 large sliced onion
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 pounds white potatoes sliced about ⅛" thick
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Melt butter and stir in the onion over medium low heat. Cook until onion is softened, about 3 minutes, remove the onions and set them aside.
- Add flour to the melted butter while stirring to make a roux. Stir constantly. The butter and flour will combine to form a liquid slurry. If you don’t keep stirring, the roux will start to burn and you’ll have to start over, so do not stop stirring. Stirring is a must!
- Add 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese to the roux, stirring until melted.
- Reduce heat to low. Combine milk and roux. Add a small amount at a time whisking to thicken. The mixture will become very thick, continue adding a little bit of liquid at a time whisking until smooth.
- Once all of the liquid has been added, bring to a boil over medium heat while continuing to whisk. Stir in salt and pepper and let boil 1 minute.
- assembly
- Grease a 9"x13" baking dish. Place ⅓ of the potatoes in the bottom and season with salt and pepper. Pour ⅓ of the cream sauce sauce over top.
- Add a layer of onions.
- Repeat adding a layer of sliced potatoes and the rest of the cooked onions, cover with the rest of the cream sauce.
- Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
- Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 35-45 minutes or until golden brown and potatoes are tender.
- Broil for 3-4 minutes to obtain a golden top.
- Allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Variations:
- You can add 1 ½ cups cubed fully cooked diced ham. Mix it in with the sliced potatoes.
- You can add a cup of corn and mix it in with the potatoes
- You can add chopped bacon and mix it in with the potatoes.
Nutrition information: Carbohydrates approx. 39g