God Jul! Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad!
Normally, we would be visiting family in Minnesota, California, or Utah on Christmas Day. Not this year. But it will only make our next Christmas even more special!
Instead, we decided to make some of the foods that we are used to eating with our families for Christmas dinner here at home. For me that is tamales. But for my husband, David, it was a combination of tasty dishes. Below is my mother-in-law’s recipe for Au Gratin Potatoes.
I have said this before and will do so again. I love potatoes! Add a cheesy and creamy sauce? Amazing!
Au Gratin Potatoes
8 – 10 Red or Yukon Gold Potatoes (about 3 pounds)
1 teaspoon salt
For the Cheese Sauce:
4 tablespoons salted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces 7-year Aged Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Place the potatoes in a pot large and cover with cold water, making sure they are covered by an inch of water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart. Remove from the water and place on a plate to cool.
When cool, peel and slice. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Also, cut each half lengthwise. Cut across into ½ inch slices. Set aside.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle the flour evenly over the melted butter and whisk well. Once well blended, slowly pour the milk into the pan, whisking to prevent lumps. Add the salt and pepper along with the shredded cheese. Stir until all the cheese has melted completely.
Add the potatoes to the sauce mix so they are covered with the sauce. Pour into a baking dish and bake covered for 45 minutes. Remove the cover and continue baking for 15 more minutes.
Keep the potatoes warm if you will not serve them immediately.
NOTE: While these are not technically “au gratin” potatoes, I love the thicker and chunkier size of these potatoes. Here is an article from The Kitchn about scalloped and au gratin potatoes, in case you are interested in learning a bit about the differences.
The Kitchn: What’s the Difference Between Scalloped and Au Gratin Potatoes?
Categories: Side Dish, Vegetables
el chino latino cocina 