Potato Gratin with Tomatoes, Gruyère, and Thyme

Sunday Dinner

Pancetta Cups with Goat Cheese and Pear

Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb
Potato Gratin with Tomatoes, Gruyère, and Thyme
Bibb Lettuce Salad with House Vinaigrette

Chocolate Espresso Cake

Paper thin slices of potato layered with butter, cheese, herbs, and tomatoes is a delicious side to our Sunday dinner. I have many variations of this recipe, but this is the one we enjoy during this time of year to take advantage of those ripe and sweet summer tomatoes. I also use a little chicken broth in lieu of more half-and-half or heavy cream to lighten it up a bit. It is tender and flavorful with a crunchy crumb topping. The gratin slices beautifully and reheats very well. I do hope you give it a try!

Ten years ago today, I stood with my arms around my son. I watched balloons tap at the ceiling while the voices of shocked news anchors narrating the terrible scenes from New York and Washington, D.C. filled the room. I looked at him, then the screen, back and forth in a fog of disbelief. My son turned three that day. Now he is a teenager. He will be joining thousands at the Chicago Bears game today. A moment of silence. Perhaps a flyover. The American way of life carries on. This is his birthday menu after the game. God bless all of the survivors of those killed on September 11, 2001.

Potato Gratin with Tomatoes, Gruyère, and Thyme

By Nicole Prep: 20 minsCook: 2 hrs 30 minsTotal: 2 hrs 50 mins Servings: 10 Tender potatoes, nutty cheese, and fresh tomatoes come together in this lighter and full of flavor gratin!

Equipment

• 9 x 13-inch baking dish
• Mandoline

Ingredients 

• 8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and divided
• 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 cups (8 ounces) grated Gruyère cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large tomato, (10 ounces) cored and thinly sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup fresh bread crumbs
• ½ cup panko crumbs

Instructions 

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter.
2. Slice two of the potatoes as thinly as possible, about ⅛-inch thick. Arrange a single layer of the potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with a second layer of potatoes. (It is best to slice the potatoes as needed per layer because the starch in the potatoes helps hold the layers together.) Brush the potatoes lightly with a portion of the melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, about 2 teaspoons of the thyme, 2 tablespoons of the Gruyère, and ⅓ cup of the Parmesan.
3. Slice and add 2 more layers of potatoes, brush lightly with melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, about 2 teaspoons of the thyme, about 2 tablespoons of the Gruyère, and ⅓ cup Parmesan. Add a single layer of tomatoes and top with 2 tablespoons of the Gruyère, ⅓ cup of the Parmesan, 2 teaspoons of the thyme, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. Continue this process with two more layers of potatoes. Press firmly with the palm of your hand to pack all of the ingredients together. Brush lightly with the melted butter, sprinkle with the remaining thyme, season lightly with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyère.
5. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and panko; set aside. Pour the half-and-half and the chicken broth over the potatoes and top with the bread crumb mixture. Drizzle the remaining butter over the bread crumb mixture and bake, covered with foil, for 45-50 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes longer or until the gratin is bubbling and golden on top and the potatoes are soft when pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife. Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 407kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 594mg, Potassium: 739mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1033IU, Vitamin C: 34mg, Calcium: 458mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.