UNION SQUARE CAFE AU GRATIN POTATOES (adapted)
These creamy, cheesy potatoes are super decadent and irresistible. I serve these at Christmas with Prime Rib or Rack of Lamb, and they are the perfect family style share dish for a steak house dinner. They are worth the extra statin! The original recipe says it serves 4-6, but I have no idea who can eat that amount of potatoes. . . they must weigh 800 pounds! I have adjusted the recipe from the original to use large potatoes and more cheese. I often make them in 2 separate dishes - one to serve, one to share or freeze. They are super easy and can be made ahead, which is why they are a dinner party staple of mine.
Equipment
- Mandolin
Ingredients
- 4 Large Russet Potatoes scrubbed clean
- 1 Clove Garlic, peeled and cut in half
- 1 tsp Butter
- 3 Cups Heavy Cream
- 3 Cups Gruyere Cheese, grated (1 pound)
- 1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg, preferably fresh
- 1/8 tsp Ground Cayenne Pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/8 tsp White Pepper, or finely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350*
- Lightly butter a large oval au gratin dish or oval roaster* or 9 x 13 pyrex dish.
- Rub the cut sides of the garlic around the pan. Discard the garlic.
- Whisk the cream with the spices together in a very large bowl.
- Using a mandolin** slice the potatoes paper thin (1 or 1 1/2 setting) and add to the cream mixture.
- Add the grated cheese to the potatoes and cheese and blend well.
- Pile the potatoes into the prepared dish (dishes), making sure the potatoes are stacked flat.
- Pour any leftover cream mixture over the potatoes.
- Place the potatoes in a larger roasting pan and add hot water halfway up the sides to create a Bain Marie.
- Bake for 2 hours until bubbly and golden brown. Check at 90 minutes to ensure they are not too brown, if so, cover with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
- Allow to cool 15-20 minutes and serve.
Notes
KTINA'S TIPS
- No need to buy potato brush or gloves . . . simply take out a brand new scrubby sponge and use the scrubber side to wash the potatoes, then use the sponge to wash your dishes.
- *I love the Apilco Deep Oval Roasters that I buy from Williams Sonoma. The #6 is perfect for this recipe.
- There's no need to buy a fancy mandolin if you don't own one. OXO makes a simple one that does the trick. Microplane makes Kevlar gloves that I highly recommend when working with a mandolin or microplanes to save your fingertips and nails from the razor sharp blades.
- If you are making ahead, cook the potatoes for 90 minutes, removed from oven and cover with foil until you are ready to pull dinner together. Place in a 350* oven for 30 minutes about an hour before you are ready to eat.