Grated Potato Galettes à La Julia Child Adapted From The Way To Cook Recipes

HERBED POTATO GALETTE

Steps:

• Coarsely grate the potatoes. Dry thoroughly by rubbing them between two clean kitchen towels. Place the grated potatoes in a large bowl, mix in the herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat the oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium high heat until almost smoking. Add the potatoes in a flat even layer. Shake the pan frequently to prevent the galette from sticking. After 3 to 4 minutes, invert the potatoes onto a plate and carefully slide them back into the pan, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes. Cut into wedges.

GRATIN OF POTATOES, HAM, EGGS & ONIONS (JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper third of oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the onions in the oil and butter over low heat for about 5 minutes, til tender but not browned.
• Raise heat slightly, stir in ham, and cook a moment longer.
• Beat eggs in a mixing bowl with garlic, herbs, cheese, cream or milk, and seasonings.
• Add in the ham and onions; mix.
• Peel and coarsely grate potatoes. Squeeze the water out of the grated potatoes, a handful at a time.
• Stir potatoes into egg mixture. Check seasoning. (May be prepared in advance up to this point.).
• Heat the butter in the baking dish. When it foams, add potato and egg mixture. Place dots of butter on top.
• Bake 30-40 minutes, or until top is nicely browned. Serve directly from the baking dish or skillet.

JULIA CHILD'S PROVENçAL POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees and place a rack at the middle level. In a large saucepan, combine onions and 2 tablespoons olive oil and stir to coat over low heat. Sprinkle lightly with salt. At a gentle simmer, cook uncovered until onions are softened and lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often. Do not brown; lower the heat if necessary. When done, fold in tomatoes just until heated through. Set aside.
• In a small food processor or a mortar, add the anchovies - anywhere from 6 to 12 fillets, depending on their size and your taste. Add garlic, herbs and a dozen grinds of pepper. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil (or use the oil from the anchovy can, if you like). Crush or pulse together into a chunky paste, thinning with oil as needed to make a loose, fluid mixture.
• In a medium-size baking dish, spread a quarter of the onion-tomato mixture. On top, arrange half the potato slices, then half the anchovy mixture. Add half the remaining onion-tomato mixture. Build one more layer with remaining potato slices, anchovy mixture and onion-tomato mixture. Sprinkle cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil.
• If the dish is very full, place on a baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake, uncovered, until potatoes are tender and have absorbed all of the juices in the bottom of the dish, 40 to 50 minutes. Test by tasting a bit of potato; it should be soft all the way through, with no raw taste. If the top is browning too fast, cover very loosely with a sheet of foil. If the top is not brown enough when the potatoes are cooked, broil briefly until deliciously glazed.
• Serve gratin hot or warm. Can be cooled and reheated later the same day, but do not refrigerate.

POTATO GALETTES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes, making sure to keep their round shape, and rinse them under cold water. Using a mandoline, slice one of the potatoes almost paper-thin. (If they are not thin enough, you will have difficulty getting them to adhere to one another; also, do not rinse the slices, as you will remove the starch.) On a work surface, form a circle of overlapping slices about 5 inches in diameter. Continue to make layers of slices, sprinkling them with salt and pepper every couple of layers, until all the slices are used. Make another galette with another potato.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and place 2 small skillets over medium heat. When hot, add 2 tablespoons of the clarified butter to each. Using a large spatula, carefully transfer 1 galette to each skillet. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. (Lower the heat if they brown too quickly.) Turn and cook the other side until the potatoes are golden brown and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes more. Transfer to a small sheet pan lined with paper towels and keep warm in the oven.
• While the first 2 galettes are cooking, prepare the remaining 2 in the same manner. Serve warm.