Imagine a dish that transforms humble vegetables into a creamy, golden masterpiece that will have your dinner guests swooning with every luxurious bite. This French-inspired Potato Turnip Mushroom Gratin is not just a side dish—it's a culinary journey that elevates simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors and textures that will transport you straight to the rustic kitchens of the French countryside.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 3 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 turnips, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Thoroughly butter a large ceramic baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Wash and carefully slice potatoes and turnips using a mandoline or sharp knife into thin, uniform rounds approximately 1/8 inch thick. This ensures even cooking and consistent texture.
- Clean and slice mushrooms into thin, delicate pieces. Mince garlic finely to distribute its aromatic flavor throughout the dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, minced garlic, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk the mixture until ingredients are well incorporated.
- Begin layering the vegetables in the prepared baking dish. Start with a thin layer of potato slices, slightly overlapping them. Follow with a layer of turnip slices, then sprinkle sliced mushrooms.
- Pour a portion of the cream mixture over each layer, ensuring vegetables are partially submerged. Repeat layering process, alternating vegetables and cream until dish is full.
- Top the final layer with grated cheese, covering the entire surface evenly for a golden, crispy crust.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes covered to allow vegetables to steam and soften.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until top is golden brown and vegetables are tender when pierced with a knife.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the gratin to set and makes serving easier.
- Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves if desired, and serve hot as a luxurious side dish or vegetarian main course.
Tips
- Use a mandoline slicer for consistently thin vegetable slices to ensure even cooking and a beautiful layered presentation.
- Choose a high-quality, full-fat heavy cream for the richest, most luxurious texture. The cream is the secret weapon that transforms this dish from good to extraordinary.
- Allow the gratin to rest for 10 minutes after baking. This crucial step helps the layers set and makes serving much easier.
- For extra flavor complexity, experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère, Comté, or a blend of cheeses.
- If you're watching calories, you can substitute half-and-half for some of the heavy cream, though the texture will be slightly less rich.
- Fresh thyme is key—dried herbs can't compare to the bright, aromatic quality of fresh thyme leaves.
- Make sure to season each layer generously with salt and pepper to build depth of flavor throughout the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 448kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
