Potato And Anchovy Gratin Food

JULIA CHILD'S PROVENçAL POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees and place a rack at the middle level. In a large saucepan, combine onions and 2 tablespoons olive oil and stir to coat over low heat. Sprinkle lightly with salt. At a gentle simmer, cook uncovered until onions are softened and lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often. Do not brown; lower the heat if necessary. When done, fold in tomatoes just until heated through. Set aside.
• In a small food processor or a mortar, add the anchovies - anywhere from 6 to 12 fillets, depending on their size and your taste. Add garlic, herbs and a dozen grinds of pepper. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil (or use the oil from the anchovy can, if you like). Crush or pulse together into a chunky paste, thinning with oil as needed to make a loose, fluid mixture.
• In a medium-size baking dish, spread a quarter of the onion-tomato mixture. On top, arrange half the potato slices, then half the anchovy mixture. Add half the remaining onion-tomato mixture. Build one more layer with remaining potato slices, anchovy mixture and onion-tomato mixture. Sprinkle cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil.
• If the dish is very full, place on a baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake, uncovered, until potatoes are tender and have absorbed all of the juices in the bottom of the dish, 40 to 50 minutes. Test by tasting a bit of potato; it should be soft all the way through, with no raw taste. If the top is browning too fast, cover very loosely with a sheet of foil. If the top is not brown enough when the potatoes are cooked, broil briefly until deliciously glazed.
• Serve gratin hot or warm. Can be cooled and reheated later the same day, but do not refrigerate.

POTATO AND ANCHOVY GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced/400°F/6 gas mark; grease six-hole (3/4-cup/180mljust under 6 fluid ounces) texas muffin pan; line each hole with two criss-crossed 5cm x 20cm (appromimately 1/4"x 8") strips of baking paper.
• Using a sharp knife, mandoline or V-slicer, cut the potatoes into very thin slices; mince the onion and garic (if using) in a mini processor or slice the onion very thinly and finely chop the garlic.
• Drain and reserve the oil from the anchovies; chop the anchovies coarsely; layer potato, onion and anchovy in the pan holes, starting and finishing with potato.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of the reserved anchovy oil (or anchovy oil and lemon juice), cream, milk and pepper in a small pan; distribute it evenly over the potato mixture.
• Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the potato is tender; add the slivered almonds (if using) in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking; stand in pan for 10 minutes; using the baking paper strips gently lift the gratin from the pan.
• Sprinkle with the fresh dill and serve.

RICH AND CREAMY POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place potatoes, garlic, and salt into a large pot, fill with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer the potatoes until tender but not mushy, 8 to 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer about half the potatoes to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Pour half of the cream over the potatoes, season with black pepper and nutmeg, and sprinkle half of the Gruyere cheese onto the mixture. Top with the remaining potatoes; sprinkle again with black pepper and nutmeg. Pour on the remaining cream, and sprinkle with remaining Gruyere cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese topping is crisp and brown on top, about 1 hour.