Best 3 Potato And Pesto Gratin Recipes

JULIA CHILD'S PROVENçAL POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees and place a rack at the middle level. In a large saucepan, combine onions and 2 tablespoons olive oil and stir to coat over low heat. Sprinkle lightly with salt. At a gentle simmer, cook uncovered until onions are softened and lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often. Do not brown; lower the heat if necessary. When done, fold in tomatoes just until heated through. Set aside.
• In a small food processor or a mortar, add the anchovies - anywhere from 6 to 12 fillets, depending on their size and your taste. Add garlic, herbs and a dozen grinds of pepper. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil (or use the oil from the anchovy can, if you like). Crush or pulse together into a chunky paste, thinning with oil as needed to make a loose, fluid mixture.
• In a medium-size baking dish, spread a quarter of the onion-tomato mixture. On top, arrange half the potato slices, then half the anchovy mixture. Add half the remaining onion-tomato mixture. Build one more layer with remaining potato slices, anchovy mixture and onion-tomato mixture. Sprinkle cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil.
• If the dish is very full, place on a baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake, uncovered, until potatoes are tender and have absorbed all of the juices in the bottom of the dish, 40 to 50 minutes. Test by tasting a bit of potato; it should be soft all the way through, with no raw taste. If the top is browning too fast, cover very loosely with a sheet of foil. If the top is not brown enough when the potatoes are cooked, broil briefly until deliciously glazed.
• Serve gratin hot or warm. Can be cooled and reheated later the same day, but do not refrigerate.

POTATO, ZUCCHINI, AND TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange tomato halves, cut side up, on prepared sheet. Drizzle 1/2 cup olive oil over tomatoes; sprinkle with salt. Roast in oven until soft, about 1 hour. Cool slightly. Using fingertips, slip skins off tomato halves. Set tomatoes aside. Increase oven temperature to 375°F.
• Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine potato slices and 1/4 cup olive oil in medium bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Arrange potatoes in single layer on prepared sheet; drizzle any oil from bowl over. Roast until soft and beginning to brown, about 25 minutes. Cool.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle zucchini with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add zucchini to skillet; sauté until lightly browned, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Cool.
• Lightly oil 13x9x2-inch ceramic or glass baking dish. Starting at outer edges of baking dish and working toward center, alternate potato slices, zucchini slices, and tomato halves, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then thyme leaves and Parmesan. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake gratin uncovered until cheese melts and juices bubble at edges, about 35 minutes.

CREAMY AU GRATIN POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a medium casserole dish.
• Layer 1/2 of the potatoes into bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with the onion slices, and add the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk. Cook until mixture has thickened. Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Pour cheese over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven.