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Gratin expectations: Two great new gratins

Katrina Meynink
Katrina Meynink

Moussaka meets gratin (hold the meat).
Moussaka meets gratin (hold the meat).Katrina Meynink

Gratin would have to be one of the most spirit-lifting carb creations in existence. There is so much to love about a dish that is simultaneously so humble and luxurious. Here are two twists on the classic side dish.

Eggplant moussaka gratin

A hybrid of two of the world's greatest comfort foods. Heavenly as a side to some slow-cooked Greek lamb or as a standalone vegetarian meal. The key to getting crisp, cooked-through potato for this gratin is to slice waxy fleshed potatoes so thin you could almost see through them. This way they sit on the bechamel rather than sink into it and you get that glorious differentiation between the layers.

INGREDIENTS

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2 tbsp olive oil

4 red onions, peeled, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tbsp tomato paste

400ml chicken or vegetable stock

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400g canned crushed tomatoes

400ml red wine

1 cinnamon quill

3 tbsp finely chopped oregano, plus extra leaves to serve

½ tsp dried oregano, plus a pinch

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2 medium eggplants (about 650g-750g), diced into 4cm cubes

800g potato, sliced lengthways using a mandolin (skin on)

Cheese sauce

50g butter

70g plain flour

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½ tsp freshly ground nutmeg

800ml milk

80g parmesan cheese, grated

80g kefalotyri cheese, grated (or use pecorino)

2 egg yolks

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salt and pepper to season

½ tsp freshly ground nutmeg, plus a pinch

METHOD

1. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof frypan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and stir occasionally until golden (seven to 10 minutes).

2. Add tomato paste and stir continuously for two minutes, then add stock, tomato, wine, cinnamon, fresh oregano and half a teaspoon of dried oregano and bring to a simmer.

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3. Add the chopped eggplant and cook over low-medium heat, just below simmering point, for one hour or until the eggplant is completely soft and the sauce has reduced to a slightly runny chutney-style consistency. Remove from heat and remove the cinnamon quill. (If your frypan isn't ovenproof, transfer the cooked eggplant and tomato sauce to a casserole dish.)

4. Preheat the oven to 170C (160C fan-forced).

5. To make the cheese sauce, add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat and swirl until melted. Add the flour and whisk frequently until combined (one to two minutes). Add milk in batches, stirring well after each addition, until all the milk is incorporated, then stir occasionally until thick (three to five minutes). Remove from heat, stir in the two cheeses and egg yolks, the half teaspoon of nutmeg and season to taste.

6. Pour the cheese sauce over the eggplant mixture and spread evenly to create a flat surface.

7. Allow to cool slightly before adding the potato, arranging and overlapping the discs in an even layer. Sprinkle with a pinch each of dried oregano and nutmeg, place in the oven and cook for approximately one hour. For the final 15 minutes, turn on the grill top function to help crisp the top of the potatoes. Keep a close eye on them during this time to ensure the potato doesn't burn.

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8. Remove, scatter with extra oregano leaves and serve hot.

Serves 8-10

Arrange the sweet potato slices vertically for maximum crunch.
Arrange the sweet potato slices vertically for maximum crunch.Katrina Meynink

Maple and chipotle spiced sweet potato gratin

I love the charred crunch on this sweet potato gratin, achieved by drizzling over the maple and spice mixture rather than rubbing it into the potato slices prior to assembly. If you prefer a more consistent result feel free to toss together the sliced sweet potato and marinade ingredients in a bowl before roasting. You can layer the potato vertically (pictured) or from the bottom up. Placing the potato vertically maximises the crunch factor.

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INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp maple syrup

juice and zest of 1 lime

1 tsp cumin

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1 tsp sweet smoked paprika

1 tsp ground chipotle

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp chilli flakes

3 sweet potatoes (about 1kg), peeled, sliced using a mandolin

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1 tsp salt, to season

To serve

½ cup soft Persian-style feta

coarsely torn coriander leaves

oregano leaves (optional)

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salt and pepper to season

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 170C.

2. In a large bowl whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, lime juice and zest, and the spices.

3. Rub a 20cm-diameter round earthenware dish with a little butter then layer or arrange the potato slices, seasoning with salt as you go. Spoon over the oil, maple and spice mixture, like you would with a salad dressing.

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4. Roast in the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, checking regularly from the 30 minute mark. Gently poke a fork into a potato slice – if you are met with any resistance, continue to cook for additional 10 minutes, then check again at 10 minute intervals. If the top is taking on too much colour, cover the dish tightly with foil and return to the oven, before removing the foil for the last five or so minutes of cooking time.

5. Remove from heat and scatter over the feta, pushing some pieces between the slices of potato so they melt. Top with coriander, season with salt and pepper and serve.

Serves 4-6

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Katrina MeyninkKatrina Meynink is a cookbook author and Good Food recipe columnist.

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