Caramelized Vidalia Onion And Potato Gratin With Fresh Sage Food

CREAMED VIDALIA ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a stoveproof gratin dish over medium-high heat; add 4 pounds Vidalia onions (cut into wedges) and cook 5 minutes. Add a pinch each of nutmeg, cayenne, salt and black pepper, then add 3 tablespoons white wine and simmer 2 minutes. Whisk 1 1/4 cups half-and-half and 3 tablespoons flour; stir into the onions and bring to a boil. Mix 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), 2 tablespoons chopped chives, and salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the onion, cover with parchment paper and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and broil until golden, 5 more minutes.

SWEET ONION POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet with the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, season with salt ground thyme, bay leaf and cook until very soft and sweet and lightly caramelized, 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and discard the bay leaf.
• While the onions cook, put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then salt the water and cook to tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and return the potatoes to the hot pot. Mash the potatoes with the cream and Parmesan and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Arrange the mashed potatoes in individual gratin dishes or 1 shallow casserole. Top the potatoes with the onions and Gruyere cheese. Put them on a sheet pan and brown under a hot broiler until bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot.

POTATO GRATIN WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• In saucepan, bring cream, garlic, peppercorns, thyme and salt to boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in nonstick frypan, heat oil over medium low heat; cook onion, stirring often, until light brown, about 45 minutes.
• Slice potatoes as thinly as possible, use mandoline if available.
• Layer one quarter of the potatoes in greased 8 inch square glass baking or casserole dish; top with one third of the onion and one quarter of the cheese.
• Repeat twice.
• Top with remaining potatoes.
• Strain cream mixture over potatoes, shaking casserole to distribute evenly; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake at 300f degree oven until tender and knife inserted in bottom pierces potatoes easily, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• (Make ahead: let cool; cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in 375f degree oven for 30 minutes.).

CREAMY POTATO GRATIN WITH CARAMELISED ONIONS

Steps:

• Up to 2 days before serving, heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onions and thyme, cover, and cook over a gentle heat for 10-15 mins until softened and caramelised. Pour the cream and milk into a large bowl and season well. Add the potatoes and mix to combine.
• Butter a 23 x 28cm ovenproof dish, then layer in half the potatoes. Spread the onion mixture on top, then layer on the remaining potatoes. Press down with your hands. Pour over the milk mixture, which should come just level with the potatoes. If not, add a little more milk until it does. Cover with foil, then bake for 11⁄2 hrs until tender. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Cover and store in the fridge.
• On the day, heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Uncover the gratin, spread the crème fraîche on top, then sprinkle over the Parmesan. Put in the oven and cook for 30 mins until the cheese is melted, the top crisp and golden brown, and the gratin piping hot. Serve garnished with extra thyme.