Tuesday, November 16, 2010

French Friday with Dorie: Potato Gratin (Pommes dauphinois)

POTATO GRATIN WITH CHUNKS OF HAM
First, let me wish all of you out there in cyberspace a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

On November 30th, about one hundred ladies in my neighborhood are getting together to enjoy our much anticipated traditional Christmas dinner, relax with holiday music and a Christmas story, and return home with a small, thoughtful gift that will keep the meaning of the Christmas season in our hearts.  Almost everyone attending will contribute a food or  program item,  will bring decorations or table settings, or they will just be there to share conversation, a good meal, and friendship.  We women try hard to make Christmas and the holidays special for family, for charitable organizations, and for work associates and friends as we work  in many, many ways to make these days exceptional.  Because the next couple of months can be stressful, or for some they can be lonely, we come together each holiday season to share a wonderful and relaxing evening that is just for us.
It was time to get out the mandoline--cut very thin potato slices
My assignment for our traditional Christmas dinner is potatoes au gratin.  Today I chose to test Dorie’s recipe for Potato Gratin (Pommes Dauphinois) hoping to find a recipe with some extra special baked goodness worthy of a holiday dish.  Oh my!  It is awesome!  This simple, creamy, bubbling over, melt in your mouth gratin is just perfect!  I will definitely make this recipe for our ladies’ dinner.

        The thin slices were arranged in layers in my baking dish., topped with garlic infused cream and seasonings.                                                                                         


While shopping for a granddaughter’s birthday gift today at Costco, one of the food samples being offered was a ready-made potato gratin.  Costco was also pushing their spiral cut ham as a main-course-holiday-dinner item.  The lady at the sample booth mixed some ham chunks in with the gratin, and gave store customers samples to try.  What a nifty idea, thought I.  So, upon returning home to make my homemade “Dorie” gratin, I decided to make a second with the addition of that ham the sample lady talked me into buying.


I have fresh herbs growing in my window garden which add a delicious addition to the baked goodness of this dish.
Both versions are delicious and comforting.  I love the garlic infused cream that works its way all through the potatoes, and the fresh herbs smothered under a layer of mouth watering cheese, filling the house with a luscious aroma.  These  are new ideas for my gratin.  The potatoes were done just right and with all that creamy goodness they just melt in your mouth.  This is, by far, the most outstanding potatoes gratin recipe I have ever tried.  It will now be our house recipe.

Small ham slices were added to my 2nd gratin, everything else being the same.

This classic gratin oozes with creamy homemade comfort.
I’m happy I made two; the kids will stop in tomorrow hoping for leftovers.  And I’m happy even more as I have found a special recipe that will be a sure hit with my neighborhood lady friends.  Thanks, Dorie, for another great recipe.  And, by the way, it is sooooo much better than the Costco variety!
This slice was my taste -- YUM!

29 comments:

  1. I think the "Neighborhood Ladies" will love this with their dinner!! It will be a treat.

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  2. What a fun way to celebrate Christmas..eating good food with friends! Im sure this dish will be the hit of the party!

    I made the flan this week!

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  3. I can't wait to make this tomorrow - wishing I had a mandoline now because it's going to take a while to cut all those potatoes by hand! Love the addition of ham!

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  4. Can't wait to make this one... I'm saving the best for last! :)

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  5. I did ham my second time around - it added a great touch. I love your Thanksgiving plans! Sounds like a great time.

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  6. Ah, looks deliicious!!! I can't wait to make this one...

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  7. Your neighborhood Christmas gathering sounds lovely! Your gratins are beautiful and look delicious!

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  8. I love your fresh herbs! We have a similar Christmas gathering in our neighborhood, except everyone brings an ornament to exchange.

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  9. Your photos look wonderful! I hope you make several pans of this gratin for your big dinner! No doubt your dish will be finished first! By the way, I am in AWE of your cookbooks! I also have the Nigella Christmas one!

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  10. So looking forward to making this. Yours looks amazing! Your Christmas get together sounds like a wonderful time. I'm sure the ladies will enjoy the Potato Gratin. By the way…your cookbook collection is awesome…I also have a very large collection. Mine are on bookshelves all over the house…love that you can display all yours in one area.

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  11. Wonderful! I'll add either ham or bacon to mine the next time I make this.

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  12. wow - that looks wonderful! i made the same thing this week and i adored it. mmm

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  13. Looks great! And I'm jealous of your cookbook shelves. I wish I had that much space to store recipes.

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  14. I wish I lived in your neighborhood!!! that crusty topping looks great! Loved all the pictures. A happy Thanksgiving to you too Miss Kris:)B

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  15. I loved this dish when I made it last week. Your neighborhood ladies will love it.
    I liked the picture of your cookbook collection. I have a large one too, and it continues to grow!

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  16. Oh, my gosh - this looks amazing! I love that you added the ham to it. I will have to do the same the next time I make this recipe. Your Neighborhood Christmas tradition sounds delightful. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  17. Your neighborhood ladies are very lucky...and I'll be everyone will be asking you for the recipe for this! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great party.

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  18. Thanks for the comment. I can't wait to bake more with my girls.

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  19. Omg, u sure have a fantastic collection of books galore!!
    And so well organized too!
    U have a very beautiful Gratin and i am loving it , we loved it so muc too!

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  20. Great job of turning this dish into a meal. Your rendition was quite delicious, I'm sure...

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  21. This was one of my favorite AMFT recipes so far...love your addition of ham!

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  22. Definitely a winner! I saved it for next week!
    Trevor Sis. Boom.

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  23. Hi Kris,
    I just had to laugh about all your cookbooks. I have just as many and recognized several in your picture. Matter of fact, I just bought the Hershey cookbook in your picture this weekend. I loved your pictures and your gratin looked wonderful. Thanks for stopping by my blog, too.

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  24. Your gratins looks so beautiful. I love that you made two versions. And your neighbourhood Christmas gathering sounds wonderful!

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  25. Thanks for sharing your story in the comments of my blog. Both my husband and I cried reading it. It takes a wonderful, giving person to adopt a child, and to adopt two who are already formed is indeed a heroic gesture. I admire your family, and wish your Moldovan girls all the best. But what else are they going to get but the best, with you watching their back and guiding them?
    Yes, it could have been Cream of Wheat - it is cheap, available everywhere, and filling.
    Apropo gratin, I love the idea of adding the ham. It could be one-pot-meal, instead of a side! Genius!
    Have a great Thanksgiving! I will be thinking of your family that day.

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  26. Am I drooling more over your potatoes or your cookbook collection...I'll let you decide!

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  27. I've been meaning to get a madoline, but I'm afraid I'll cut my fingers off!

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