Four Cheese Gratin Recipes

FOUR-CHEESE CAULIFLOWER GRATIN

Steps:

• For the sauce, melt the butter in a shallow saucepan. When it's just starting to sizzle, stir in the flour to make a paste. Cook for a minute, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Stir through the mustard, cream cheese, truffle oil (if using) and parmesan, and cook over a low heat until thickened. Season with lots of black pepper.
• Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Trim the leaves off the cauliflowers and slice into rough steaks about 1cm thick. Don't worry about the outside bits not being slices - it will all be used. Assemble the dish a bit like a lasagne. Spoon a quarter of the cheese sauce into a large baking dish and spread it out, then add half of the cauliflower. Repeat the process, finishing with a thick layer of sauce. Scatter over the mozzarella, and the gruyère or cheddar and crispy onions.
• Bake for 1 hr 30-1 hr 45 mins until the cheese is golden and the cauliflower is soft but not mushy. If you want a golden finish, you can grill it (keep an eye on it) or leave it in when you turn the oven up for the crackling, if making the salt & vinegar roast pork as well. Once baked, leave to stand for 10 mins before serving in the middle of the table.

PASTA GRATIN WITH FOUR CHEESES AND OVEN ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a skillet melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes more or until the mushrooms are lightly golden. Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in chives or parsley and set aside. Now make the sauce. In a saucepan set over moderately low heat melt butter, add the flour and cook the mixture, whisking, for 3 minutes. Add milk, bring mixture to a simmer, whisking, and simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or until lightly thickened. Remove saucepan from the heat and stir in the fontina, mozzarella, and gorgonzola and 2/3 cup of the Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. To assemble the gratin; in a large bowl toss the pasta with the mushroom mixture. Add 3/4 of the sauce and stir gently to combine. Using remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, butter a 2 to 3 quart gratin dish arrange pasta and diagonal rows of the tomatoes. Top evenly with remaining sauce. Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes or until bubbling and golden.

MEXICAN FOUR CHEESE POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Stir the queso, broth and cream in a medium bowl.
• Put half of the potatoes in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour half of the queso mixture over the potatoes. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and queso mixture.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Let stand for 10 minutes.

DORIE'S FOUR-CHEESE POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water 20 min. or just until tender; drain. Return to pan; cover with cold water. Let stand until cooled.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir 2 min. Blend in flour; cook 1 min. Gradually add milk; cook 5 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Add 1-1/4 cups shredded cheese; cook and stir 1 min. or until melted. Stir in mustard.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Peel potatoes; cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Layer alternately with cheese sauce in 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray, ending with sauce.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining cheeses; bake 5 min. or until shredded cheese is melted.