Zucchini Au Gratin From Julia Childs Recipes

ZUCCHINI AU GRATIN FROM JULIA CHILD'S RECIPE

Steps:

• Julia Child's recipe calls for green zucchini and that's what I have done. You could use yellow zucchini instead, but either way use any one colour of zucchini for the gratin.
• Once the water is drained and the zucchini sauteed, the volume will go down, so check for the quantities you need to prepare and increase the volume of sauce proportionately.
• Grate the zucchini using a box grater.
• Squeeze out the liquid from the grated zucchini, let it stand for about 15 minutes and then squeeze again to get rid of any extra water.
• Water allowed to remain could make the gratin soggy. Drain away as much as you can.
• Mince the shallots or onions, if using.
• Grate the cheese.
• Grease a casserole dish (OR individual ramekins, if preferred).
• Heat two tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
• Add the minced shallots and sauté on low heat for about 4 minutes, until the shallots are soft and translucent.
• Add the grated zucchini and salt to taste and continue sautéing for another 5 minutes, or until the zucchini is soft and a bright green.
• If there is some water remaining, cook the zucchini a little longer till the water evaporates. Remove from heat.
• Transfer to the casserole or ramekins. Spread the zucchini evenly.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).
• Warm a pan over medium heat, and then melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter on low heat.
• Once it is melted and bubbly, add the flour and whisk constantly until the raw smell of the flour disappears and the mixture turns beige, like the colour of peanut butter, about 2-3 minutes. The whisking is important so that the sauce does not catch at the bottom of the pan.
• Slowly stream in the milk, whisking while you pour.
• Continue whisking until no more clumps of roux remain.
• Season the sauce with salt and pepper, keeping in mind that the zucchini has already been seasoned.
• Continue whisking over medium heat until the sauce thickens, ie about 5 minutes. The sauce needs to be thick, or else the gratin could become mushy.
• Once thick, pour the sauce over the zucchini in the greased casserole, stir it in.
• Check for the seasoning and if required add a little more salt and pepper and mix it in well.
• Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
• Bake zucchini au gratin for 20 minutes or until it is bubbly and the top is golden.
• Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.
• Serve with warm crusty bread.
• I usually add a layer of breadcrumbs to au gratin to give a nice crust and some texture to the dish, however as this recipe of Julia Child's does not suggest breadcrumbs, I have not add the same. Similarly I have not added any herbs, though mint, tarragon or parsley would go well with the zucchini.