Scalloped potatoes

Gratin () is a culinary technique in which a dish is topped with a browned crust, often using breadcrumbs, grated cheese, egg or cheese.Courtine, Robert J. (ed.) (2003) ''The Concise Larousse Gastronomique'' London: Hamlyn The term may be applied to any dish made using this method such as Potato Bake. Gratin is usually prepared in a shallow dish of some kind. A gratin is baked or cooked under an overhead grill or broiler to form a golden crust on top and is often served in its baking dish.

A ''gratin dish'' is a shallow oven-proof container that is commonly used to prepare gratins and similar dishes.

Terminology

The etymology of gratin is from the French language words ''gratter'', meaning "to scrape" (from having to scrape the food out of the dish it was cooked in). The technique predates the current name, which did not appear in English until 1846 ('' OED'', ''s.v.'' "gratin").

In addition to the well-known potato dishes such as '' gratin dauphinois'', ''gratin'' may be applied to many other bases of meat, fish, vegetables, or pasta.

Preparations

Many gratinéed dishes are topped with béchamel, mornay or other sauces.

Potato-based

Potatoes gratiné

''Potatoes gratiné'' is one of the most common gratins and is known by various names, including “gratin potatoes” and ''gratin de pommes de terre''. Slices of boiled potato are put in a buttered fireproof dish, sprinkled with cheese, and browned in the oven. Sliced raw potatoes may also be baked in a liquid or sauce that steams them and forms a golden crust on top. Elvia Firuski; Maurice Firuski (eds.) (1952) ''The Best of Boulestin''. London: William Heinemann. p. 249. In the US, the dish is referred to variously as funeral potatoes, potatoes ''au gratin'', scalloped potatoes, or ''au gratin'' potatoes. In English-speaking Canada, it is called scalloped potatoes or potatoes au gratin. In French-speaking Canada, the dish is referred to as ''patates au gratin''. In Australia, it is known as potato bake, and New Zealanders refer to it as scalloped potatoes, potato scallops, or potato cake. In North America, traditionally, ''au gratin'' potatoes included cheese and scalloped potatoes did not, but this classic differentiation has been lost to time.

Pommes de terre gratinées

To make ''pommes de terre gratinées'', or "potatoes with cheese," according to the recipe of Marcel Boulestin, large floury potatoes are baked in the oven, then halved and the flesh scooped from the skins. The flesh is mashed with butter, cream, grated cheese, and seasoning(s). The mix is then scooped back into the skins, arranged in a baking dish, sprinkled with grated cheese, and browned in the oven or under the grill. This preparation is also called twice-baked potatoes.

Gratin dauphinois

''Gratin dauphinois'' is a speciality of the Dauphiné region of France. The dish is typically made with thinly sliced and layered potatoes, and cream, cooked in a buttered dish rubbed with garlic. Some recipes add cheese and eggs.Elizabeth David (1964 960 ''French Provincial Cooking''. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. pp. 251–2. It is called potatoes au gratin in American English.

Gratin savoyard

Gratin savoyard is a similar dish found in the adjacent Savoie (Savoy) department. It consists of alternating layers of sliced potatoes, Beaufort cheese, and pieces of butter, with bouillon as the liquid. Cream is not used.

Other preparations

Pasta

The Neapolitan dish pasta al gratin (also referred to as pasta au gratin in American English) may be made with various kinds of pasta, including penne, rigatoni, fusilli / spirelli, macaroni, or tagliatelle. The pasta is cooked al dente, then covered with béchamel sauce, cheese (typically a mixture including scamorza, mozzarella or parmesan) and breadcrumbs, then baked.

Seafood

''Sole au gratin'' is a sole gratin, often covered with mushrooms. Many fish-based gratins use a white gratin sauce and cheese and brown quickly. ''Cozze gratinate'' is a mussels-based recipe found in Italy.

'' Janssons frestelse'' ("Jansson's Temptation") is a Swedish gratin of potatoes, onions, and preserved fish, somewhat similar to a French dish of potatoes with anchovies.

''Cod au gratin'' is a classic Newfoundland comfort food dish of cod baked in a creamy sauce and topped with cheese.

Vegetable

''Gratin Languedocien'' is made with eggplant and tomato, covered in breadcrumbs and oil, then browned. This dish is similar to the Italian dish known as ''melanzane alla parmigiana''. Other vegetables commonly used in gratin dishes include cauliflower, spinach, and butternut squash.

See also

* List of casserole dishes

References

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Casserole dishes
French cuisine
Cuisine of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Potato dishes
Baked foods