Gratin Of Delicata Squash And Leeks Food

DELICATA SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a medium casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Slice delicata squash lengthwise, remove seeds and pulp, and cut into 1/2-inch crescent-shaped slices. Place squash in the prepared pan and lightly season with salt and pepper.
• Melt butter in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, being careful not to allow the paste to brown. Gradually stir in milk and bring to a boil. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes; remove from heat. Mix in Gruyere cheese and stir until melted. Season with cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
• Pour cheese sauce over the squash and bake in the preheated oven until the squash is fork-tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with snipped parsley.

SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and thyme and cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the butternut and kabocha squash in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until the squash is just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and add the squash to the skillet along with the garlic, mace, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, about 3 minutes. Add the broth and cook until it is mostly absorbed, about 5 more minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and cook until slightly thickened, 2 minutes.
• Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the microwave and toss with the breadcrumbs, parmesan and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the squash, then top with the gruyere. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
• How to break down butternut squash:
• Cut about 1 inch off the bottom end with a chef's knife. Scoop out the seeds.
• Hold the squash against your body and remove the skin with a vegetable peeler; chop.
• How to break down kabocha squash:
• Quarter the squash with a chef's knife, then scoop out the seeds.
• Put each quarter flat-side down and cut off the skin with a paring knife; chop the squash.

BUTTERNUT GRATIN WITH LEEKS, SAGE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Peel and thinly slice the butternut squash into 18 -inch thick rounds. When you get to the seeds, scoop them out and continue slicing. Set aside 12-15 of the "prettiest" slices for the top of the gratin. ( There will be 3 layers of butternut - so you could divide into 3, placing any misshapen pieces in the middle layer)
• Slice and rinse the leeks- the moisture here will help them soften. Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the leeks, for 8-10 minutes, covering part way through so they soften. Add the garlic, sage and a pinch of salt, cook 2-3 more minutes. Turn heat off.
• the cream with the salt, pepper, nutmeg and onion powder in a medium bowl.
• Grease a large 9 x 13-inch baking dish or 11-12 inch round baking dish. A big shallow pan is BEST here ensuring even cooking. Grease the pan, add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the pan. Layer with Butternut squash overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with half of the sauteed leeks. Drizzle with 1/3 cup cream mixture. Sprinkle with one ounce of Gruyere (about 3-4 tablespoons grated). Add the 2nd layer of butternut- using up any misshapen pieces here. Scatter with the remaining leeks. Drizzle with 1/3 cup cream mixture and sprinkle with grated gruyere cheese. Add the final layer of butternut, overlapping and pressing down so not domed in the middle. Drizzle the remaining cream mixture over top, lightly sprinkle with cheese and the walnuts. Give the pan a little shake, press down in the center again so gratin is level, not domed. Cover, using parchment first as a barrier, under the foil if the foil touches the top of the gratin.
• . Uncover, confirming the butternut is tender using the tip of a knife, then bake at 400 F uncovered, 15 minutes until beautifully golden.
• To make the crispy sage leaf garnish, heat 1-2 tablespoons oil or butter in a pan over medium heat, add 8 whole sage leaves, saute each side 30 seconds or so until crisp (try a tester first) and place on a paper towel to cool for a couple of minutes. Arrange over the gratin.

GRATIN OF DELICATA SQUASH AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400. Spray 11x7-inch ceramic or glass gratin dish with cooking spray. Sprinkle bottom with 1/4 cup of the panko.
• Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-low heat until warm. Cook leeks and prosciutto 4-6 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. (Add a little water if leeks start to scorch).
• Combine rosemary, salt and pepper in small bowl. Arrange half of the squash slices in baking dish; sprinkle with half of the rosemary mixture. Spread leek mixture over squash; top with remaining squash. Gently pour broth over squash; sprinkle with remaining rosemary mixture. Cover with foil sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 35-40 minutes or until squash is almost tender. (Gratin can be prepared to this point 1 day ahead. Cool slightly; refrigerate. Bake, covered, at 400 for 15 minutes before continuing with recipe). Sprinkle gratin with cheese. Combine remaining 1/4 cup panko and butter; sprinkle over cheese. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender and top is golden brown.
• Tips: Deli ham or salami can be substituted.

HONEYNUT SQUASH, LEEK, AND BRIE GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees; butter a 10-inch, 1 1/2-quart gratin dish. In a skillet, cook 2 tablespoons butter, leeks, and a pinch of salt over medium-high heat, stirring, until soft, 8 minutes. Add vermouth; cook until mostly evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. In another pan, melt remaining butter. Toss with panko; season with salt and pepper.
• Scatter half of pasta, leeks, squash, and cheese in gratin dish. Season with salt and pepper; repeat with remaining half of each. Pour broth and cream evenly over top; cover with parchment-lined foil and bake until squash is tender, 25 minutes. Sprinkle panko mixture over gratin. Bake, uncovered, until golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes; serve with greens.