Walnut Sage Gratin Recipes

WALNUT-SAGE POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Peel potatoes, if desired, and thinly slice - I used the thin slicing blade on the food processor - (should have 6 cups).
• Place slices in a colander.
• Rinse with cool water; set aside to drain.
• For sauce, in a medium saucepan on med to med-high heat (I have found walnut oil doesn't have a high heat tolerance)cook onion and garlic in walnut oil until tender but not brown.
• Stir in flour, salt, and pepper.
• Add milk all at once.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in snipped sage.
• Grease a 2-quart round casserole (with glass cover).
• Layer half of the potatoes in casserole. Cover with half the sauce.
• Sprinkle with half the cheese.
• Repeat layering with the potatoes and sauce. (Cover and chill remaining cheese until needed.).
• Bake casserole, covered, in conventional oven at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 25 minutes more or until potatoes are just tender.
• Sprinkle remaining cheese and nuts over top. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• Top with sage leaves.

BUTTERNUT GRATIN WITH LEEKS, SAGE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Peel and thinly slice the butternut squash into 18 -inch thick rounds. When you get to the seeds, scoop them out and continue slicing. Set aside 12-15 of the "prettiest" slices for the top of the gratin. ( There will be 3 layers of butternut - so you could divide into 3, placing any misshapen pieces in the middle layer)
• Slice and rinse the leeks- the moisture here will help them soften. Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the leeks, for 8-10 minutes, covering part way through so they soften. Add the garlic, sage and a pinch of salt, cook 2-3 more minutes. Turn heat off.
• the cream with the salt, pepper, nutmeg and onion powder in a medium bowl.
• Grease a large 9 x 13-inch baking dish or 11-12 inch round baking dish. A big shallow pan is BEST here ensuring even cooking. Grease the pan, add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the pan. Layer with Butternut squash overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with half of the sauteed leeks. Drizzle with 1/3 cup cream mixture. Sprinkle with one ounce of Gruyere (about 3-4 tablespoons grated). Add the 2nd layer of butternut- using up any misshapen pieces here. Scatter with the remaining leeks. Drizzle with 1/3 cup cream mixture and sprinkle with grated gruyere cheese. Add the final layer of butternut, overlapping and pressing down so not domed in the middle. Drizzle the remaining cream mixture over top, lightly sprinkle with cheese and the walnuts. Give the pan a little shake, press down in the center again so gratin is level, not domed. Cover, using parchment first as a barrier, under the foil if the foil touches the top of the gratin.
• . Uncover, confirming the butternut is tender using the tip of a knife, then bake at 400 F uncovered, 15 minutes until beautifully golden.
• To make the crispy sage leaf garnish, heat 1-2 tablespoons oil or butter in a pan over medium heat, add 8 whole sage leaves, saute each side 30 seconds or so until crisp (try a tester first) and place on a paper towel to cool for a couple of minutes. Arrange over the gratin.

SAGE POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch casserole dish using 1 tablespoon of the butter.
• In a pot, add the heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and sage leaves. Bring to a simmer and steep for 10 minutes. While steeping, peel and slice the potatoes 1/8-inch thick on a mandolin. Begin to layer the potatoes on the bottom of the prepared dish, overlapping each slice by half. When the first layer of potatoes is complete, season with salt, cayenne pepper, and sprinkle with a third of the cheese. Repeat two more times, ending with a final layer of just potatoes.
• Strain the heavy cream and discard the sage. Pour the heavy cream over the casserole, pressing the potatoes down. Dot the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in pieces evenly over the top of the potatoes. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the oven, lowering the temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes more. Serve hot.

MUSHROOM WALNUT AU GRATIN

Steps:

• For pilaf:.
• Heat oil in 2 quart saucepan.
• Stir in rice and cook and stir until it begins to brown.
• Add onion, stirring until lightly browned.
• Add bouillon cube, salt, ginger, oregano and water, stirring to combine.
• Cover and lower heat to simmer.
• Cook until rice is just tender, about 30 minutes.
• For mushroom/walnut mixture:.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat, add walnuts and stir until lightly browned.
• Remove with slotted spoon and reserve.
• Add onions and mushrooms to oil and brown lightly, remove with slotted spoon and reserve.
• Add broccoli and saute until crisp-tender, about 8 minutes.
• Stir in onions, mushrooms, water chestnuts and garlic.
• Remove from heat and add walnuts, soy sauce and sour cream.
• Stir lightly to coat vegetables.
• Spread brown rice pilaf in greased, shallow 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
• Cover with vegetable mixture, and sprinkle evenly with cheeses.
• Bake until cheese melts, about 20 minutes.
• Serve garnished with orange slices.
• Cooking time below is approximate, as I think you can do the pilaf and mushroom mixture concurrently.

SWEET POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a greased 8-in. square baking dish. In a bowl, beat egg. Add cream, salt, nutmeg and pepper; mix well. Pour over potatoes; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375° until the potatoes are tender, 40-45 minutes. If desired, top with fresh thyme to serve.