Autumn Vegetable Gratin Food

ROOT VEGETABLE GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 13-by-10-by-2 1/2-inch baking dish.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat, add the onion and fennel and cook for 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned and tender. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the onion mixture, sweet potatoes, celery root, Yukon Gold potatoes, cream, chicken stock, Gruyere, thyme, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press lightly so the vegetables lie flat all the way to the edge. Combine the bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and distribute evenly on top. Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 hours, until the vegetables are very tender when tested with a small knife and the top is browned and bubbly. Allow to set for 15 minutes and serve hot.
• Make ahead: Bake in advance and reheat while the turkey rests, or assemble the dish, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake before serving.

PROVENCAL VEGETABLE GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 7 by 11-inch baking dish with olive oil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add onions, garlic and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until completely softened and cooked but not browned. Stir in the basil and thyme. Spread on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Toss the sliced vegetables with the remaining olive oil and salt, and pepper. With the long side of the baking dish facing you, alternate the sliced vegetables in compact upright rows on top of the onion mixture.
• Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake until the vegetables are softened, about 30 to 35 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Continue baking until cheese begins to brown, about 20 minutes or so. Serve hot or at room temperature.
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VEGETABLES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat broiler to high.
• Cut off and discard ends of the eggplant, squash and zucchini. Cut squash and eggplant into very thin rounds. There should be about 2 cups of each. Cut eggplant lengthwise into quarters and cut each quarter into thin slices. There should be about 4 cups.
• Heat 6 tablespoons of oil in a skillet and add eggplant, zucchini and squash slices. Cook, shaking skillet and stirring so slices cook evenly, about 8 minutes. Add onions and garlic and stir to blend. Add bay leaf, salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut away and discard core of each tomato. Cut tomatoes crosswise into thin slices.
• Remove and discard bay leaf. Pour cooked vegetables into a baking dish and arrange tomato slices on top to cover. Brush tomatoes with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle evenly with cheese.
• Place dish under broiler about 4 inches from heat. Leave broiler door partly open and cook 5 minutes.