BUTTERNUT DAUPHINOISE

Butternut dauphinoise image

This indulgent gratin of squash with bay, thyme and nutmeg, plus a robust cheese sauce makes a great main or side dish

Provided by Jane Hornby

Time 1h15m

Yield Serves 6 as a side dish, 4 as a main

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

300ml double cream
100ml whole milk
2 bay leaves
a few thyme sprigs
1 garlic clove, crushed
whole nutmeg, for grating
1 tbsp salted butter, for the dish
1 large butternut squash, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1.4kg unpeeled to give about 1.1kg prepared flesh)
50g mature double gloucester or other hard cheese

Steps:

Put the cream, milk, bay, a sprig of thyme, the garlic and ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg in a saucepan, and bring to the boil. Take the pan off the heat and leave to infuse for 10 mins. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
Butter a large baking dish with the butter, then layer up the butternut squash, adding seasoning and a few thyme leaves as you go. Pour over the infused cream, leaving the bay and thyme on the top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 mins. Uncover, press the squash as far under the level of the liquid as you can, then scatter with the cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 30 mins more until the butternut is tender and the whole dish is bubbling and golden. Let stand for 10 mins or so before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 calories, Fat 33 grams fat, SaturatedFat 20 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 14 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium