Au Gratin is a French term that means Covered with bread crumbs and sometimes butter and grated cheese, and then browned in an oven.
This recipe calls for the famous white sauce or Béchamel. I have made a few changes to make the recipe appeal to our Indian pallets. But the recipe for a basic white sauce is authentic, foolproof and can be adapted to make many more continental dishes.
I have used a mixture of vegetables here but you can use only one vegetable like cauliflower or combination of two like mushrooms and baby corn or even chicken or lamb.
I have topped the dish with some grated Gruyere cheese before baking but you can use the easily available Cheddar or even some mashed potatoes or bread crumbs.
Omit spicy sauces like chili sauce and Worcestershire sauce to get the authentic au gratin flavour.
Preparation Time: 20 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients
2 Cups Boiled Vegetables (Carrots, Cauliflower, French Beans, Potatoes, Baby corn etc.)
2 tbs Tomato Ketchup
1 tbs Red Chili Sauce
1 tbs Worcestershire Sauce
1 Clove of Garlic
½ cup grated Gruyere Cheese
¼ cup grated Cheddar Cheese
For the White Sauce
1½ tbs Butter
1 tsp Oil
1 tbs Flour
1 cup Hot Milk
¼ tsp Nutmeg powder
½ tsp White Pepper Powder
Salt to taste
Procedure
Put a pan on heat and put the butter and oil in while the pan is still cold. (Always add a bit of oil while heating butter to prevent the butter from burning.) Let the butter melt.
Now add the flour and stir continuosly to cook the flour. Do not let it brown or change colour.
Now add hot milk slowly from the side whisking all the time with a whisk. This will ensure that no lumps are formed and the mixture becomes a smooth sauce.
Add the nutmeg powder and white pepper powder. Your basic white sauce is now ready.
Now add the cheddar cheese and grate in a clove of garlic. Mix well.
Put off the gas and add in all the sauces. Do not forget to put the gas off or else your sauce will keep thickening.
Now add all the boiled vegetables and mix well. Taste and check seasoning.
Transfer to a greased, pretty baking dish and top with the Gruyere cheese.
Bake in a hot oven for 8-10 minutes or till the cheese melts and turns a lovely golden brown.
Serve hot! Enjoy!
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