Root vegetable gratin
1 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups heavy cream (1/2 milk 1/2 cream, optional)
Salt & pepepr to taste
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 lb parsnips
1 lb sweet potatoes
1 lb celeriac (celery root)
8 oz gruyere or other strong, sharp cheese, grated
1 tbsp fresh thyme, or 1 tsp dry
3 tbsp minced fresh parsley, or 1 tbsp dry
Preheat oven to 400 and butter a 3 quart baking dish
Make cream sauce:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and saute the garlic for a minute. Add cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Heat just until bubbles form around the edges of the pan, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the herbs and let stand 10 minutes
Prepare vegetables:
Peel and thinly slice the vegetables.
Assemble gratin:
Arrange a layer of half of the vegetables: parsnips, then sweet potatoes, then celeriac. Sprinkle with half the cheese and pour over half of the cream sauce. Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil; lightly press gratin down with a spatula. Return to oven for another 15-30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and top is golden brown. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.