Every once in a while I have an urge to make something that may just stop my heart. This urge hit me two weeks ago. I want Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin. I needed to buy a mandolin. Before I go any further, you should read the story of why I don’t have a mandolin.
Ever since my accident in February I haven’t been able to use a knife all that well (getting better every day though). The only way I could make this dish was if I bought a mandolin. After nearly 16 years without one, I caved in and went for it.
I scoured the Internet for just the right recipe. I wanted cheese and I wanted more cheese. What I found was quite delectable.
3lbs of Yukon Gold Potatoes, sliced 1/4″ think (YAY mandolin!)
2 cups of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 cups of Gruyere (or another flavorful melting cheese)
1 cup of heavy cream
Salt and Pepper to taste
Yes, these really are the only ingredients. You put the potatoes in a 9″ pie plate – my recipe called for a 9″ deep pie plate — which is one deep plate! Obviously a misplaced/lost piece of punctuation there. Overlap the potatoes a little and fill the plate. Pour in the heavy cream so it is just touching the bottom of the top layer of potatoes. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover with the cheese.
Put the pie plate in your pre-heated oven (425F) and bake for 50 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and potatoes are fork tender. None of the recipes I found suggested you line your stove bottom with foil, or use a baking sheet below the pie plate — but you should. This cheesy gooey mess really did a number on my oven.
This makes 4-8 servings depending on how really crazy you are. Two of us ate about 4/5 of the plate of potatoes — saving me a little leftovers for the next day.
This recipe was so easy – and it allowed me to get back into the mandolin habit. It is probably one of the least healthy items I cook, but good god it was tasty!
What are your favorite unhealthy things to make? Do you have a tendency to gorge on things like this when you make it, or do you have some self control? How often do you have to clean your oven? :)
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