abba posted 12/21/98
Potato Gratin with Mustard and Cheddar Cheese
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup fresh white breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 pound sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced
4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1 cup whipping cream
6 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs
and stir until crumbs are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Cool crumbs.
(Can be prepared 2 days ahead).
Cover and let stand at room temperature.
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Butter
15x10x2-inch (4-quart) glass baking dish.
Mix thyme, salt and pepper
in small bowl.
Combine grated cheddar cheese
and flour in large bowl; toss to coat cheese.
Arrange 1/3 of potatoes over bottom of prepared dish. Sprinkle 1/3 of
thyme mixture, then 1/3 of cheese mixture over.
Repeat
layering of potatoes, thyme mixture and cheese mixture 2 more times.
Whisk chicken broth, whipping cream and mustard in medium bowl to blend.
Pour broth mixture over potatoes.
Bake potatoes 30 minutes. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over. Bake until
potatoes are tender and top is golden brown, about 1 hour longer.
Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
12 Servings
Bon Appétit
November 1995