Scalloped Potatoes

I can’t believe I didn’t write a post about Easter! My friend Steve moved back from Montreal last summer and he’s been helping me out a lot since I hurt my knee. He doesn’t have any family here in Ottawa either so I invited him over for Easter dinner. I tried making a ham in the slow cooker and it was fine – pretty basic. On the side we had steamed beans and scalloped potatoes. I used a recipe from Cook’s Illustrated which boils the potatoes a bit first and replaces some of the cream with chicken broth. Two weeks later Steve came over again and he made more scalloped potatoes, using a recipe from Southern Living. I can honestly say it’s a toss up for which recipe was better. This C.I. one is going in the “All Stars” vault because it’s lighter and quicker 🙂

I forgot to take a pic. This one’s from Canadian Living Magazine.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion , minced (about 1 cup)
2 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 1/4 teaspoons table salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (about 5 medium), peeled and sliced 1/8-inch thick (see photos below)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 bay leaves
4 ounces grated cheddar cheese , shredded (1 cup)

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Melt butter in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add potatoes, chicken broth, cream, and bay leaves and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until potatoes are almost tender (paring knife can be slipped into and out of potato slice with some resistance), about 10 minutes. Discard bay leaves.

3. Transfer mixture to 8-inch-square baking dish (or other 1 1/2-quart gratin dish) and press to an even layer; sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake until cream is bubbling around edges and top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

4. To Make Ahead: Once the scalloped potatoes have been transferred to the baking dish and pressed into an even layer in step 3, they can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the cheese, cover with foil, and bake in a 400-degree oven until the mixture is hot and bubbling, about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and cook until the cheddar begins to brown, about 30 minutes longer. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. (Serves 4-6)

And here’s the Southern Living recipe if you’re interested: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/classic-scalloped-potatoes