Cauliflower and Potato Gratin (Russ Parsons)
- 1 head cauliflower (1 1/4-pound)
- 12 lb small boiling potato
- salt
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 14 cup butter
- 1 leek, white part only, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 14 cup flour
- 1 12 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons creme fraiche or 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 34 cup grated gruyere cheese (about 1 1/2 ounces) or 34 cup sharp cheddar cheese, divided (about 1 1/2 ounces)
- freshly grated nutmeg
- 14 cup fresh breadcrumb
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut the dried base and green leaves from the cauliflower and discard them.
- Separate the head into florets about the size of walnuts and chop the stem into similar size pieces.
- Cut the potatoes into similar-size pieces as well.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high head and salt liberally.
- Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and the cauliflower and potatoes (the vinegar will help keep the cauliflower white).
- Cook until the cauliflower pieces are tender enough to be easily cut with a spoon, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, make a cheese sauce.
- In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat and stir in the leeks.
- Cook until they are soft, about 10 minutes.
- Add the flour and whisk to make a smooth paste.
- Add the milk a little at a time, cooking until it thickens.
- When all the milk has been added, reduce the heat and cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in the creme fraiche and then one-half cup of the Gruyere, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous grating of nutmeg (a little less than one-quarter teaspoon).
- Whisk until smooth, then taste and add more salt or nutmeg if necessary.
- Butter a 6-cup gratin dish and spread a thin layer of the sauce evenly over the bottom.
- Arrange the cooked cauliflower and potatoes in an even layer over the sauce.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the top and spread evenly with the back of a spoon.
- It should come about three-quarters of the way up the vegetables.
- Scatter bread crumbs evenly over top and then scatter the remaining one-quarter cup Gruyere over that.
- Bake until the gratin is bubbling and the top is browned, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
cauliflower, boiling potato, salt, vinegar, butter, only, flour, milk, creme fraiche, gruyere cheese, nutmeg, fresh breadcrumb
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/cauliflower-and-potato-gratin-russ-parsons-410536 (may not work)