"This is the simplest way I know to make a potato gratin. Simmering the vegetables in the milk precooks them somewhat, shortening time in the oven and flavoring the milk, as well. You can easily vary this gratin by substituting some of the potatoes with other root vegetables, such as celery root, turnips, rutabagas, or parsnips. Yukon golds make a beautiful golden gratin, but I also like russets, and sometimes I mix varieties. There will be some leftover gratin, which is always welcome reheated the next day for a simple lunch served with a tossed salad." –Deborah Madison
Preheat oven to 375°.
Place milk, leek, salt, pepper, potato, thyme, bay leaf, and garlic in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Discard thyme and bay leaf.
Spoon half of the potato mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining potato mixture and remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 375° for 1 hour or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2007
Fennel seeds and fennel fronds (the feathery tops of the bulb) both underscore this vegetable's clean anise flavor. Fennel is also called anise.
Cook fennel seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat 1 minute or until toasted. Place seeds in a small zip-top bag; crush with a rolling pin.
Combine fennel seeds, fennel fronds, salt, rind, and pepper in a large bowl.
Steam the fennel slices, covered, 5 minutes or until tender. Drain. Add fennel and olive oil to fennel frond mixture in bowl; toss well.
Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2007
If you can find an heirloom zucchini called Costata Romanesca, you're in for a treat. It's a delicious, dense zucchini distinguished from the usual garden variety by raised ribs that run the length of its body. When cut crosswise, it makes a pretty scalloped slice. Otherwise, use standard zucchini. A bright parsley-caper sauce adds a fresh, slightly salty note to this simple steamed vegetable.
Combine first 9 ingredients in a large bowl; set aside.
Steam zucchini, covered, 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add to parsley mixture in bowl; toss gently to coat.
Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2007
The batter can be whipped up in a blender a few hours in advance, and the apples can be caramelized ahead of time, as well. Just combine the batter and apples in the skillet, and pop it in the oven as you sit down to dinner; it will be puffed and glorious by the time you are ready for dessert. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if you desire.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple and 2 tablespoons sugar to pan; sauté 7 minutes or until lightly browned. Reduce heat, and cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Melt remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in an 8-inch cast-iron skillet, tipping pan quickly until butter coats sides of pan. Pour melted butter and 1/4 cup sugar into a blender. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour and remaining ingredients to blender; process until smooth. Pour batter into prepared skillet. Top evenly with apple mixture. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into wedges. Serve immediately.
Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2007
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Deborah's Late Summer Dinner Menu
