Scalloped Potatoes: 2000s Recipes + Menus : gourmet.com

2000s Recipes + Menus

Serves6

Active Time:30 min
Start to Finish:1 3/4 hr

February 2008

There's no question: If meatloaf, then potatoes. These have all the comfort of mashed, but with a nice texture from the potato slices and from being baked in cream. And they can go in the oven along with the meatloaf, so dinner will be ready all at once.

3/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3 pounds large boiling potatoes (about 6)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup whole milk

Preheat oven to 350ºF with rack in upper third. Generously butter a 2 1/2-quart shallow baking dish (not glass).
Stir together nutmeg, 2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper.
Peel and thinly slice potatoes. Layer potatoes in baking dish, overlapping slightly and sprinkling each layer with some of salt mixture and some of butter. Pour cream and milk over potatoes, pressing down gently to submerge potatoes in liquid.
Cover with foil and bake until potatoes are tender, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
Remove gratin from oven and discard foil. Turn broiler on and broil gratin 2 to 3 inches from heat until top is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Cooks' notes: Potatoes are best the day they're made but can be baked and broiled 2 days ahead and chilled, uncovered, until cool, then covered. Reheat, covered, in a 350ºF oven about 40 minutes.

Photograph by Romulo Yanes