Fennel & potato gratin
By Mary Cadogan (BBC Good Food)
This hearty bake is slightly like dauphinoise, but bypasses the cream for a lighter finished product- Parmesan gives a crispy golden topping.
Ingredients
- 2 fennel bulbs, trimmed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 kg floury potato, thinly sliced (see tip, below)
- 300 ml vegetable stock
- 250 gr cherry tomato, preferably on the vine
- 25 gr parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), finely grated
Method
- Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Quarter the fennel lengthways, and cut out and discard the root. Thinly slice the fennel. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan, season the fennel and gently cook for about 5 mins until starting to soften.
- Drizzle a little oil over the base of a 1.5-litre gratin dish. Arrange half the potatoes over the base, then season. Spread the fennel over, then cover with the remaining potatoes. Pour over the stock, season and drizzle with the remaining oil. Scrunch a piece of baking parchment around the edge of the dish to make a seal, then bake for 1 hr. Can be made a few hours ahead up to this point.
- Remove the dish from the oven and put the tomatoes on top. Scatter over the Parmesan and return to the oven for 20 mins until the top is golden.