Prepare to elevate your dining experience with a French classic that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Potatoes au Gratin with Mustard is not just another side dish – it's a creamy, cheesy, and tangy masterpiece that transforms ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary culinary sensation. With layers of thinly sliced potatoes, rich Gruyère cheese, and a hint of Dijon mustard, this recipe promises to be the star of your dinner table that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: French
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure that your Potatoes au Gratin cooks evenly and achieves a nice golden top.
- Prepare the potatoes by washing them thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, thinly slice the potatoes to about 1/8 inch thick. This will help them cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the cream and cheese.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk the mixture until the mustard is well incorporated into the cream. This will add a tangy flavor to the dish.
- In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom. Pour half of the cream mixture over the potatoes, ensuring they are well coated.
- Sprinkle half of the grated Gruyère cheese over the first layer of potatoes and cream. This will create a delicious cheesy layer.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes, cream mixture, and Gruyère cheese. Make sure the top layer is cheese for a beautifully melted and golden crust.
- If desired, sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top layer of cheese. This will add a delightful crunch to the finished dish.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from browning too quickly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This will help the layers set and make it easier to cut into portions.
- Serve your Potatoes au Gratin with Mustard as a delicious side dish to complement your main course. Enjoy!
Tips
- Slice Consistency is Key: Use a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife to ensure uniform potato slices. Consistent 1/8-inch thick slices will help the potatoes cook evenly and create beautiful layers.
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Opt for starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold, which will absorb the cream and cheese beautifully while maintaining their structure.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your cream and cheese come to room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth incorporation and even melting.
- Don't Rush the Cooling: Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes serving much easier.
- Customize Your Topping: For extra crunch, experiment with different breadcrumbs like panko or add herbs like thyme or rosemary to the topping.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this dish earlier in the day and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- Perfect Pairing: This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, grilled chicken, or can be enjoyed as a vegetarian main course with a fresh green salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 75mg
