Four Cheese Gratin Recipes

FOUR-CHEESE SCALLOPED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Generously brush a large skillet with butter, then rub with the garlic. Combine the mozzarella, asiago and raclette in a bowl.
• Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the potatoes, spreading them out. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, half of the cut-up butter, half of the shredded cheese blend, and pepper to taste. Arrange the remaining potatoes on top. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Pour the cream over the potatoes, then add the nutmeg and bay leaves; simmer 3 minutes. Dot the potatoes with the remaining cut-up butter.
• Generously brush a shallow baking dish with butter; slide the potatoes into the dish; arrange with a fork, if desired. (If your skillet is ovenproof, you can skip this step and bake the potatoes in the skillet.)
• Sprinkle the potatoes with the parmesan and the remaining shredded cheese blend. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Discard the bay leaves.
• Photograph courtesy Anna Williams

MEXICAN FOUR CHEESE POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Stir the queso, broth and cream in a medium bowl.
• Put half of the potatoes in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour half of the queso mixture over the potatoes. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and queso mixture.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Let stand for 10 minutes.

FOUR-CHEESE CAULIFLOWER GRATIN

Steps:

• For the sauce, melt the butter in a shallow saucepan. When it's just starting to sizzle, stir in the flour to make a paste. Cook for a minute, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Stir through the mustard, cream cheese, truffle oil (if using) and parmesan, and cook over a low heat until thickened. Season with lots of black pepper.
• Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Trim the leaves off the cauliflowers and slice into rough steaks about 1cm thick. Don't worry about the outside bits not being slices - it will all be used. Assemble the dish a bit like a lasagne. Spoon a quarter of the cheese sauce into a large baking dish and spread it out, then add half of the cauliflower. Repeat the process, finishing with a thick layer of sauce. Scatter over the mozzarella, and the gruyère or cheddar and crispy onions.
• Bake for 1 hr 30-1 hr 45 mins until the cheese is golden and the cauliflower is soft but not mushy. If you want a golden finish, you can grill it (keep an eye on it) or leave it in when you turn the oven up for the crackling, if making the salt & vinegar roast pork as well. Once baked, leave to stand for 10 mins before serving in the middle of the table.

FOUR CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine whipping cream and butter. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until butter melts. Gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, grated provolone cheese, and grated Romano cheese. Reduce heat to low, and continue to stir just until all cheese is melted.
• Serve immediately, sauce will thicken upon standing.

FOUR-ONION GRATIN

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks, large onions, shallots and garlic and sauté until all are tender, about 20 minutes. Add baby onions and cook 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Mix in 2 cups whipping cream. Boil until cream is thickened to sauce consistency, about 10 minutes. Transfer vegetable-cream mixture to 6-cup shallow baking dish. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Return mixture to room temperature before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 425°F Sprinkle breadcrumbs over onion mixture. Bake until breadcrumbs are golden brown and onion mixture bubbles, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

DORIE'S FOUR-CHEESE POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water 20 min. or just until tender; drain. Return to pan; cover with cold water. Let stand until cooled.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir 2 min. Blend in flour; cook 1 min. Gradually add milk; cook 5 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Add 1-1/4 cups shredded cheese; cook and stir 1 min. or until melted. Stir in mustard.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Peel potatoes; cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Layer alternately with cheese sauce in 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray, ending with sauce.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining cheeses; bake 5 min. or until shredded cheese is melted.

FOUR-CHEESE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl until well combined. Spread 1/2 of the butter onto one side of each slice of bread; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; stir in spinach and giardiniera. Saute until spinach is wilted and mixture is heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove to a bowl and wipe out the skillet.
• Place 1 slice of bread, buttered-side down, into one side of the warm skillet. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in the other side of the skillet. Place mozzarella slices in the skillet and cook until soft, 1 to 2 minutes. Place mozzarella slices on top of the bread in the skillet. Repeat with the provolone, Asiago, and Fontina slices.
• Add spinach mixture and tomato slices to the skillet, adding more oil if necessary, and cook until warm, 2 to 3 minutes. Place spinach mixture on top of the cheese, followed by the tomatoes and the remaining slice of bread, buttered-side up. Flip the sandwich and cook until browned and cheese has melted, 5 to 10 minutes.

SOUR CREAM AU GRATIN POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook potatoes with skins on, till tender.
• Cool.
• Peel potatoes when cold; then cut into small cubes, or grate.
• Place the potatoes into a 9x13-inch pan.
• Combine all other ingredients, and pour over potatoes.
• Cover and bake at 325° for 30-45 minutes.
• EASY AND DELICIOUS!

BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PARMESAN CHEESE GRATIN

Steps:

• Cut the peeled and seeded butternut squash into 1" cubes or chunks and place them in to a well buttered gratin dish. Season the butternut squash generously with black pepper and a little salt.
• Mix the grated parmesan cheese with the fresh bread crumbs, nuts and chopped thyme and then sprinkle over the top of the butternut squash.
• Dot the butter all over the cheese and nut topping.
• Bake it in a pre-heated oven, 200C/400F/Gas 6, for about 35 to 45 minutes, until the butternut squash is soft and the topping is golden brown.
• Serves 2 as a main course and 4 as a vegetable accompaniment.
• Serve piping hot with crusty bread and salad, if serving as a main course.