Potato and Carrot Gratin

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming...I wanted to bring you up to date with some news that may affect the frequency with which I'll be posting here. I have been scheduled for two corneal transplants, the first of which will occur next week. I've prepared the blog as best I can for contingencies that may follow surgery, and using a combination of old, new, borrowed and blue posts, I should be able to follow a near normal posting schedule. I think! At least that's the plan. The next few months are going to have a circus aspect about them. We are also in the process of selling our home and that leads to craziness and cooking of a different sort. I'll be featuring more recipes for breads and desserts in an attempt to keep the house from smelling like a pizza parlor and, hopefully, we'll be back on a more normal track by January. I hope all of you will continue to stop by.

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Our last big get-together before the first of the year is going to be tomorrow evening. I have planned a fairly elegant, but easy-on-the-cook menu, and much of what I'll be serving can be made well-ahead of time. While very rich, this potato and carrot gratin is a wonderful accompaniment to a roast or grilled meat and it can be made the day before it is to be served. There is, of course, a catch. The potatoes and carrots must be thinly sliced and you will need a mandoline or other slicing device to cut them. These are delicious when made with heavy cream, but half-and-half or light cream can be substituted if you are watching calories or counting fat grams. The potatoes can be table ready in about and hour. The recipe was developed by Alexis Touchet for the Huffington Post and I do hope you'll give it a try. You will not be disappointed. Here is how the potatoes are made.

Potato and Carrot Gratin...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Alexis Touchet via Huffington Post

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes
1 pound carrots
1-3/4 cups heavy cream
1-3/4 cups whole milk
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1-3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
2 cups coarsely grated Gruyere (about 6 ounces)

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F with rack in middle. Spread butter into a 15- by 10-inch (4-quart) baking dish.
2) Peel potatoes and carrots, then cut both into 1/16-inch thick slices with slicer and transfer to a 6-quart heavy pot.
3) Add cream, milk, garlic, salt and pepper and bring just to a boil over moderate heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
4) Spread mixture evenly in baking dish, then sprinkle with cheese and bake until vegetables are tender and top is golden brown in spots, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Yields: 8 to 10 servings.

Cook's Note: Gratin can be baked 1 day ahead. Cool completely, then refrigerate, covered. Bring to room temperature before reheating, uncovered, in a 350 F oven, 20 to 30 minutes.

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