Fennel Dauphinoise Food

SAUCY SALMON, FENNEL AND POTATO GRATIN DAUPHINOISE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 180C/350°F.
• Grease a large and preferably oval or rectangular oven dish (Gratin dish) with half of the butter.
• Layer half of the potatoes on the bottom of the dish, then arrange half of the fennel slices and half of the onion slices over the top. Season well with black pepper and some salt to taste.
• Carefully lay the salmon fillets over the top and continue with the onion, fennel and potato slices in that order - ending with the potatoes.
• Dot with the remaining butter and pour the creme fraiche or milk/cream mixture over the top.
• Season with black pepper and salt.
• Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours in a pre-heated oven, until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are soft when tested.
• Serve hot with lemon wedges and the green tops of the fennel bulb; crusty bread and salad would be lovely accompaniments.

FENNEL & POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan or cast-iron skillet over a medium heat and sauté the fennel with a little seasoning for about 10 mins until caramelised and sweet. Take off the heat and squeeze over a little lemon juice. In a jug, combine the garlic, cream, vermouth or sherry and semi-skimmed milk.
• Butter a medium-sized roasting tin or casserole dish. Put a layer of the potatoes on the bottom, followed by some of the fennel and a glug of the cream mixture. Season and continue to layer the potatoes, fennel, seasoning and cream mixture. Make sure the top layer of veg is coated in the mixture - press it down with a spatula if you need to - and top with the fennel fronds.
• Roast in the oven for 35-40 mins, or until the potatoes are tender.