Embark on a culinary journey with our delightful baked vegetable gratin (verdure al forno), a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic Italian dish showcases an array of fresh, seasonal vegetables, enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce and baked to golden perfection. From the earthy sweetness of zucchini and bell peppers to the tender bite of eggplant and potatoes, each ingredient harmonizes to create a captivating medley of flavors. Whether you're a vegetarian seeking a hearty main course or a meat-lover looking for a flavorful side dish, this versatile gratin caters to all palates.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll provide you with step-by-step instructions for crafting this delectable dish, along with variations to suit your dietary preferences and culinary creativity. Discover how to select the freshest vegetables, prepare the creamy sauce, and achieve the perfect balance of flavors. We'll also introduce you to alternative recipes that elevate the gratin experience, such as the vibrant vegetable gratin with pesto sauce, the indulgent potato gratin with Gruyère cheese, and the unique cauliflower gratin with a hint of nutmeg. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of cheesy, vegetable-packed goodness as we explore the art of creating this culinary masterpiece.
VERDURE AL FORNO
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 55m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Coat the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange zucchini slices on the bottom of the dish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Evenly pour 1/3 cup of the heavy cream and sprinkle with 1/3 of a cup of mozzarella, 1/3 cup fontina and 2 tablespoons of the Romano. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the bread crumbs. Repeat layers, ending with the bread crumbs. Cut the 4 tablespoons of butter into 1/2-inch cubes and sprinkle over the top of the dish. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, place the baking dish on top and bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden brown.
PROVENCAL VEGETABLE GRATIN
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 1h25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 7 by 11-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add onions, garlic and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until completely softened and cooked but not browned. Stir in the basil and thyme. Spread on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Toss the sliced vegetables with the remaining olive oil and salt, and pepper. With the long side of the baking dish facing you, alternate the sliced vegetables in compact upright rows on top of the onion mixture.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake until the vegetables are softened, about 30 to 35 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Continue baking until cheese begins to brown, about 20 minutes or so. Serve hot or at room temperature.
- Copyright (c) 2004 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.
BAKED VEGETABLE GRATIN (VERDURE AL FORNO)
Make and share this Baked Vegetable Gratin (Verdure Al Forno) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories European
Time 2h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch dice; place in a colander; salt, and drain for 20 minutes.
- Cut off any long stems from the spinach.
- Cook spinach with water that clings to the leaves in a pot, along with a little salt just until the spinach wilts; drain and let cool.
- Squeeze out the excess water and coarsely chop.
- Gently saute the onion in 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over low heat for 20 minutes or until the onion is soft and pale gold.
- Meanwhile, pat the zucchini dry with paper towels; add to the onions, and saute for 10 minutes.
- Add the spinach and garlic and saute for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Turn into a bowl and let cool.
- Combine the vegetables with 1/2 cup Parmesan, eggs, parsley, garbanzo beans, salt, and pepper.
- Lightly oil a shallow, round baking dish; fill dish with the spinach mixture.
- Sprinkle the top with 2 tablespoons Parmesan and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until a golden crust has formed.
- Let cool; serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 273.8, Fat 16.9, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 79.3, Sodium 377, Carbohydrate 21.3, Fiber 5.9, Sugar 4.7, Protein 12.8
VERDURE AL FORNO
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Coat the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish with the oil. Arrange enough of the zucchini slices over the bottom of the dish in a single layer to cover. Sprinkle with one third of the salt and pepper. Pour 1/3 cup of the heavy cream over the zucchini and sprinkle with 1/3 cup each of mozzarella cheese and fontina cheese.
- Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Pecorino Romano cheese, then with 1/3 cup of bread crumbs. Repeat layering the ingredients two more times. (The vegetables can be assembled 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.) Place the baking dish on the baking sheet and bake uncovered until golden brown on top and the sauce bubbles, about 40 minutes. Serve immediately.
VERDURE AL FORNO
Make and share this Verdure Al Forno recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Diana Adcock
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Using the 2 T. extra virgin olive oil coat the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange 1/3 of the zucchini slices on the bottom of the dish and season with a little salt and pepper (most likely you will NOT use the full 1 T of each).
- Evenly pour 1/3 of the heavy cream.
- Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella.
- Sprinkle with 1/3 of the fontina.
- Sprinkle with 2 T of the romano.
- Repeat layers.
- Top with the bread crumbs. (use fine dried).
- Dot the bread crumbs with the unsalted butter.
- To prevent spillage/smoke line a baking sheet with heavy duty foil and place prepared dish on this.
- Bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and top golden brown.
- Allow to stand for 5 minutes before cutting into it.
ZUCCHINI GRATINE / GRATIN (VERDURE AL FORNO)
Make and share this Zucchini Gratine / Gratin (Verdure Al Forno) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by KathyP53
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 55m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Coat bottom of 9X13" baking dish with EVOO. Arrange zucchini slices on the bottom of the dish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Okay if zucchini slices overlap.
- Evenly pour 1/3 cup heavy cream and sprinkle with 1/3 cup mozzarella, 1/3 cup Fontina, and 2 tablespoons of Romano. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of bread crumbs. Repeat layers.
- My own variation: Giada dotted bread crumb topping with cold butter. I suggest: Melt 4 tablespoons butter and blend with last 1/3 cup of bread crumbs to sprinkle over top of gratine. I don't like plain dry bread crumb toppings and I think the top will brown and crisp up much better this way.
- Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place gratine on top and place in oven. Bake for 40 minutes or until bubbling and top is golden brown.
Tips:
- To ensure even cooking, cut the vegetables into uniform sizes.
- Use a variety of colorful vegetables to create a visually appealing dish.
- For a richer flavor, roast the vegetables before adding them to the gratin.
- If you want a crispy top, sprinkle some breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese over the gratin before baking.
- Adjust the baking time depending on the type of vegetables used and the desired level of doneness.
Conclusion:
Baked vegetable gratin is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and is also a healthy and nutritious meal. With its colorful presentation and irresistible cheesy crust, this gratin is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. So, gather your favorite vegetables and give this recipe a try – you won't be disappointed!
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