A comforting and savory French classic: tender potatoes topped with a golden, crispy crust. Perfect as a side dish or light main course, this traditional gratin will delight the whole family.
⏱️55 min
📊Easy
👥4 servings
🍽️Main
budget-friendlyfamilyvegetarian
Ingredients
800 gpotatoes
200 mlcrème fraîche
200 mlmilk
100 ggrated cheese (Gruyère or Emmental)
30 gbutter
1 cuillère à cafésalt
1 pincéewhite pepper
1 pincéenutmeg
Instructions
1PREPARE THE POTATOES: Peel the potatoes and rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch. Cut them into regular slices 3 to 4 millimeters thick using a sharp knife or mandoline. The uniform thickness ensures even cooking. Place the slices in a bowl and set aside.
2PREPARE THE SAUCE: In a saucepan, pour in the crème fraîche and milk. Heat over medium heat without boiling, just until the mixture is hot. Season generously with salt, white pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg. This sauce should be flavorful as it will infuse the potatoes during cooking.
3BUTTER AND LAYER: Generously butter a rectangular or square baking dish. Arrange the potato slices in regular layers, overlapping them slightly. Slowly pour the hot sauce over the potatoes, ensuring it permeates each layer. The liquid should almost cover the potatoes.
4ADD THE CHEESE: Generously sprinkle the surface of the gratin with grated cheese. The cheese will create a golden, crispy crust as it bakes. Distribute it evenly for uniform cooking and an attractive presentation.
5BAKE IN THE OVEN: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the gratin in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes depending on your oven. The gratin is done when the potatoes are very tender (check with the tip of a knife) and the cheese is well browned and slightly bubbling. If the cheese browns too quickly, cover the dish with aluminum foil halfway through cooking.
6SERVE: Remove the gratin from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly. Serve hot, preferably directly in the baking dish to retain the warmth and create a convivial atmosphere.