Potato and Horseradish Gratin
Horseradish, as I’ve noted elsewhere, loses most of its potency when heated. It also retains its flavor, making it a great accompaniment to potatoes in this simple gratin. The trick is finding fresh horseradish—and then peeling and slicing it (some people wear goggles, not a terrible idea). If none of this appeals to you, just make the gratin with potatoes—it’s a beaut either way. Serve with roast chicken or meat. Other vegetables you can prepare this way: any root vegetable or tuber—carrots, parsnips, or turnips, for example—will work fine prepared in this style, alone or in combination.
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Put the horseradish in a saucepan with water to cover and bring to a boil; simmer for about 5 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water. Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and rinse them; slice them thinly with a knife or mandoline.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Layer the potatoes and horseradish in a large nonstick, ovenproof skillet or roasting pan, sprinkling the layers with salt and pepper. Dot with the butter, then add enough half-and-half to come about three-quarters of the way up to the top.
Step 3
Turn the heat under the gratin to high and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the level of both liquid and vegetables has dropped somewhat. Put in the oven and cook, undisturbed, until the top is nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Turn the oven down to 300°F and continue cooking until the potatoes and horseradish are tender (a thin-bladed knife will pierce them with little or no resistance), about 10 minutes more. Serve immediately or keep warm in the oven or over very low heat for up to 30 minutes.
Potato and Gruyère Gratin (France)
Step 4
Substitute 1/4 pound of good-quality Gruyère, grated, for the horseradish and add an additional pound of potatoes. Layer the two as described in step 2, but instead of bringing the whole mixture to a boil on top of the stove, put the pan directly into the preheated oven and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until tender. Run the gratin under the broiler for 30 seconds or so to crisp, then serve hot or warm.
