Bits on the side, Gadgets, RecipesAdam SmithSeptember 12, 2018Potato, Gadgets, Garlic

Dauphinoise

Bits on the side, Gadgets, RecipesAdam SmithSeptember 12, 2018Potato, Gadgets, Garlic

Not that I need an excuse to cook up this creamy and garlic loaded potato dish but I hadn't in a while and it was my anniversary. It was formally requested to go alongside a nice french trimmed rack of lamb. Always happy to oblige.

This is a great dish and a crowd pleaser to serve alongside any chunks of red meat and a good full-bodied bottle of red.

It also gave me an excuse to pull out my little handheld mandoline. A great little gadget I've had for years, and unlike other versions, it's yet to draw blood!

Step 1 - Some gadget action

I bought this about 5 years ago. It's a solid bit of kit, just as sharp as the day I bought it. The only complaint is that if your technique isn't quite spot on a slice can be thicker one end than the other. It has three grades of thickness and comes with a guard to stop you chopping the end of your fingers off.
It's also a very respectable price.
OXO Good grips handheld mandoline slicer

Preheat your oven to 190C
Peel your potatoes
Get slicing over a bowl, being careful, it's sharp!!

Step 2 - Layer up

Pour a little olive oil in the bottom of your dish and wipe around to ensure that it's completely covered up the sides
Start adding two layers of potatoes and then some generous twists of salt and pepper
Repeat this layering and seasoning until you get near the top of the dish

Step 3 - Cream and cheese it

Peel a clove of garlic and give it a good whack under the side of a knife to crush it
In a saucepan add the milk and cream and put on a low heat
Add the garlic, bay leaf and mustard
Give it all a mix
When it starts to bubble give it a stir, take off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes
Strain out the garlic and bay leaf
Pour over your creamy mixture over the potatoes, pouring around the sides and pressing lightly until it just starts to cover the top but not completely.
Giving the dish a little shuffle to help the mixture get to the bottom
Finally mix up the cheese, spread across the top of the dish and give one last covering with pepper

Step 4 - Cook it

Put it in the oven for 35 minutes, when it starts to turn brown on top, put a sharp knife in it. If there is no resistance, keep it in until the top is nice and brown.
If there is resistance then put it back in for another 10 minutes and turn the oven down to 160C. Pull it out when its browned and there is no resistance
Serve it up in large slices