Sliced Potatoes Simmered In Basil Julia Child Recipes

SLICED POTATOES SIMMERED IN BASIL (JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and cut innto slices about 1/4 inch thick. Drop them into boiling water and bring rapidly back to a boil again. Boil for 3 minutes then drain.
• Make roux: melt the butter in a saucepan and blend in flour. Cook for 2 minutes without browning. Remove from heat and when the roux has stopped bubbling, add the hot milk beating with wire whip until smooth. Blend in the cream, basil, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Return mixture to moderately high heat and stir as sauce thickens and comes to a boil. Simmer 2 minutes. Fold in potatoes. Sauce should just cover the potatoes. Add more milk or cream if needed. Bring to a simmer, correct seasonings, cover and simmer slowly for 10 - 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Before serving, gently fold in the butter and garnish with additional basil.

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.