SCALLOPED POTATOES WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

SCALLOPED POTATOES WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS image

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

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2 cups whipping cream I used instead the milk bechamel made with potatoe starch
4 crushed garlic cloves
3 peppercorns
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon oil
1 large Spanish or yellow onion, thinly sliced
3 large Yukon Gold potatoes (2 to 3 pounds), peeled
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
2 sprigs fresh thyme or I used fresh poultry herbs in bechamel and finely chopped wild dried mushrooms

Steps:

In saucepan, bring cream, garlic, peppercorns, thyme, and salt to just under boil; reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside. Heat your oven to 300° F. Meanwhile, in skillet, heat oil over medium-low heat and cook onion, stirring often, until light brown, about 45 minutes. Slice potatoes as thinly as possible (using a mandoline if available). Layer 1/4 of the potatoes in greased about 8 x 12-inch glass baking or casserole dish; top with 1/3 of the onion and 1/4 of the cheese drizzle some of the bechamel lightly . Repeat twice. Top with remaining potatoes. Strain cream mixture over potatoes, shaking casserole to distribute evenly. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in 300° F oven on a baking sheet (to catch drips) until tender and a knife inserted into the dish pierces potatoes easily, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (Make-ahead: Let cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat, tented with tin foil, in 375° F oven for 30 minutes.) Tip: For a lighter version, steep garlic, peppercorns, thyme, and salt in 2 cups of (500 mL) milk. Then make béchamel sauce: In saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in strained milk mixture, and simmer everything for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Pour over potatoes.