Leek Gratin

Leek Gratin

After picking up the kids from school, a handful of parents loiter around in front of the school, talking about our day and other hot topics as our children play together.

"What ya making for supper?"

"I'm making a leek gratin side dish!"

*crickets chirping*

At first I thought maybe they didn't hear me. There were no usual oooh's and ahhh's, no comments on the dish sounding tasty or the typical "hey, we're coming to your house for supper" type of joke. Just some awkward silence and then the eyes averting my gaze soon clued me in.

"If you like that sort of thing."

I can understand, leeks are part of the onion and garlic family, and people don't boast about how much they love onions and garlic. Onion gratin just doesn't sound right I suppose but I always looked at leeks a bit differently. Maybe I took my love of vegetables too far? Would Mikey like it? Maybe not but I'm not Mikey and I really liked it.

The leeks were soft in their creamy surrounding and the crunchy bread topping was a great juxtaposition in texture. I didn't add enough salt and pepper to the leek mixture as I was afraid the parmesan cheese would add enough of a salty kick but I know now to add some more for next time. Yes, there will be a next time.

Hubby liked it enough and when he took leftovers to work the next day for lunch, folks were asking what he was eating because it smelled so good.

"Leek gratin"

*crickets chirping*

"Huh, if you like that sort of thing."

...



Leek Gratin
makes 4 servings

3 cups sliced leek, white & partial green parts
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper
1.5 cups cream (I used 18%)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 cup course bread crumbs or slightly crushed croutons
2 tbsp butter, melted

In a large shallow casserole dish, add the first 4 ingredients and mix.

Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly atop the leek mixture.

In a separate bowl, mix the butter and crumbs together. Spread evenly over the leek mixture.

Place the dish into a heated 400F oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Serve.

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