Gratin Dauphinois
A classic French potato gratin from the Dauphiné region, featuring thinly sliced potatoes baked slowly in a rich mixture of cream and milk until tender and golden brown. This traditional recipe omits cheese, allowing the pure flavors of potato, cream, and a hint of nutmeg to shine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Potatoes(Waxy varieties like Yukon Gold or Maris Piper are ideal. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, as they can become mushy.)
- 400 ml Heavy cream(At least 35% fat content for richness.)
- 200 ml Whole milk
- 2 cloves Garlic(Peeled.)
- 30 g Unsalted butter(For greasing the dish.)
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt(Or to taste.)
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper(Freshly ground, or to taste.)
- 0.25 teaspoons Freshly grated nutmeg(Or to taste. A pinch is usually sufficient.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Select a suitable gratin dish or ovenproof casserole (approximately 2-liter capacity).
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Peel the potatoes. Using a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife, slice the potatoes as thinly and uniformly as possible, about 1-2mm thick. Do NOT rinse the potato slices; the surface starch is crucial for thickening the sauce and creating a creamy texture.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Cut one of the peeled garlic cloves in half. Rub the cut sides generously all over the inside of the gratin dish. Then, melt the butter and use it to grease the dish thoroughly, ensuring the sides are coated.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 4
Begin layering the potato slices into the prepared dish. Arrange them in overlapping concentric circles or rows. Season each layer lightly with salt, pepper, and a tiny amount of grated nutmeg. Continue layering and seasoning until all potatoes are used. Gently press down to compact the layers.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
In a separate bowl or jug, whisk together the heavy cream and milk. Season this liquid mixture with the remaining salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour the cream and milk mixture evenly over the layered potatoes. The liquid should come up to about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up the potatoes; they should not be fully submerged.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Place the gratin dish on a baking sheet (to catch any potential spills). Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The gratin is ready when the top is golden brown, the cream is bubbling gently around the edges, and a knife inserted into the center meets little resistance, indicating the potatoes are completely tender. If the top starts browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
⏱️ 1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 30 minutes - 7
Once baked, remove the gratin from the oven and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve and enhancing the texture.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an authentic Gratin Dauphinois, strictly no cheese is used. The richness comes solely from the potatoes, cream, and milk.
- ✓Uniformly thin potato slices are key for even cooking and a smooth texture. A mandoline is highly recommended.
- ✓Baking at a moderate temperature (160°C / 320°F) ensures the potatoes cook through gently without burning the cream.
- ✓Don't be tempted to stir the gratin after layering; the distinct layers are part of its charm.
- ✓Allowing the gratin to rest after baking is crucial for the sauce to thicken and set.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a richer, non-traditional version, you can add a layer of grated Gruyère cheese on top during the last 20-30 minutes of baking.
- Crispy bacon lardons can be scattered over the potatoes before pouring the cream mixture for added flavor and texture.