Michael Symons Green Gratin Recipes

CHARRED GREENS WITH CITRUS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Set up your grill for even medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, distribute the coals evenly. If using a gas grill, heat both sides evenly.
• In a small saucepan set on the grill, melt the butter with the clove of smashed garlic. Remove the garlic.
• Place the torn baguette in a mixing bowl and pour the melted garlic butter over the top. Toss to coat the bread and season with salt and pepper. Put the croutons in a cast-iron pan and place on the grill. Cover the grill and bake until golden brown and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes.
• In the meantime, in a mason jar, add the lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, anchovies, Dijon and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and vigorously shake to combine.
• Remove the croutons from the grill and set aside. Brush the kale leaves and the cut side of the endive and escarole with some of the lemon vinaigrette. Place on the grill, cut-side down, and char for about 2 minutes.
• Remove from the grill, slice into bite-sized pieces and put in a large serving bowl. Add the croutons and chives and dress with the remainder of the vinaigrette. Add Parmesan and toss to combine. Serve.

SPICY POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a large casserole dish with some butter.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste. While whisking, slowly add the milk in a steady stream to form a smooth sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, whisking to prevent the formation of any lumps (be sure to get into the corners of the pan so nothing burns). Season with salt and pepper. Add the nutmeg and cheese, whisking until thick and smooth. Whisk in the pureed chipotles.
• Put the potatoes in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Pour in the cheese sauce and toss to thoroughly coat the potatoes. Evenly arrange the potatoes in the greased casserole dish, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake until the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. Uncover and bake until the top is golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

COOKED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Add onions and garlic and cook for additional 2 minutes. Add chiles and cook for 1 more minute. Add greens, season with salt and cook for 1 hour over low heat until greens are tender. Add vinegar and a pinch of sugar and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Check seasoning and serve.

GREEK GREENS

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Place a heavy-bottomed enameled cast-iron pan over the direct heat side of the grill and add the olive oil.
• Add the onions, fennel and garlic with a pinch of salt and allow to begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until rusty, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Deglaze the pan with 1 cup water, scraping the bottom for any brown bits. Add all of the greens and season with salt and pepper.
• Cover the pan with a lid.
• Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill, then close the lid and cook until the greens are wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the grill and stir in the dill and lemon juice. Serve.

WINTER GREENS GRATIN

Steps:

• Lightly butter a 3-quart baking dish. Working in batches, blanch kale in a pot of boiling lightly salted water until just softened, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer kale to a large bowl of ice water; let cool, then drain. Squeeze out as much excess water as possible by hand and transfer kale to a work surface.
• Repeat with mustard greens, blanching for 2 minutes per batch. Coarsely chop all greens and combine in a large bowl (you should have 6 cups tightly packed greens). Separate clumps and loosen chopped leaves by hand.
• Heat oil in a 12" skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and crispy, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in Parmesan and 1 teaspoon thyme leaves. DO AHEAD: Greens and breadcrumbs can be made 2 days ahead. Cover greens and chill. Store breadcrumbs airtight at room temperature.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots; cook, stirring often, until slightly softened and light golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer shallots to bowl with greens. Add cream, milk, garlic, and thyme sprigs to same saucepan; bring to a simmer. Cook until mixture is thickened and reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 10-12 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs and garlic; stir in nutmeg. Season mixture with salt and pepper.
• Pour cream mixture over greens in bowl and toss to evenly coat in sauce; season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer greens mixture to prepared baking dish; sprinkle Gruyère over. Top with breadcrumbs. Cover dish with foil. DO AHEAD: Gratin can be assembled 1 day ahead.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake until filling is hot, about 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until cheese is melted, edges are bubbling, and breadcrumbs are golden brown, 10-20 minutes longer. Garnish with remaining 1 teaspoon thyme leaves.