Creamy French Potato Gratin (Gratin Dauphinois) – Easy Recipe

Atsuko

February 5, 2024

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Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

One of my favorite French dishes, this creamy potato gratin comes from the Dauphiné region. Infused with a delicate hint of garlic, thinly sliced potatoes are gently simmered in milk and cream before being baked to golden perfection. The richness of butter melds beautifully with the velvety layers, creating an irresistibly indulgent dish.

Expense

💵

Preparation

20 mins

Baking time

40 mins

Rest time

Ingredients

1 Portions

Metric Imperial

250 g

Potato
100 ml

Fresh cream
25 ml

Milk
1

Cloves of garlic
2 g

Salt
2 g

Pepper
2 g

Nutmeg
10 g

Butter

Cooking time: Approximately 60 minutes

Ingredients:

For 4 people

1kg of Potatoes
400ml of Fresh cream
100ml of Milk (Adjust the ratio of fresh cream and milk to your preference—use only milk, or 200ml of fresh cream + 300ml of milk, etc.)
2 cloves of Garlic
1 teaspoon of Salt
1 teaspoon of Pepper
1/2 teaspoon of Nutmeg
40g of Butter

How to make it:

1/Prepare the Ingredients: Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly. Finely chop the garlic.
2/Simmer the Cream and Milk: In a pot, combine the fresh cream and milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and chopped garlic, stirring to combine.
3/ Cook the Potatoes: Add the sliced potatoes to the pot and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes until slightly tender.
4/Assemble the First Layer: Grease a heat-resistant baking dish with butter. Add half of the potatoes, then pour in half of the cream mixture from the pot. Mix gently.

5/ Layer the Remaining Potatoes: Arrange the remaining potatoes neatly on top. Pour over the rest of the cream mixture.
6/Add Butter for Extra Richness: Cut the butter into small pieces and distribute evenly over the potatoes.
7/ Bake Until Golden and Tender: Bake in an oven preheated to 180°C for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are tender.

⭐️Tips for the Perfect Gratin Dauphinois⭐️

⭐️ Adjust the Baking Time: Oven performance varies, so keep an eye on your gratin and adjust the baking time as needed.

⭐️Recommended Baking Dish Size: A 30×20cm heat-resistant baking dish works best for this recipe.

⭐️ Perfect Pairings: With its rich and creamy taste, this gratin pairs beautifully with a refreshing green salad for balance. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside meat dishes with sauce—try sautéed lamb or duck breast for a French-style touch! Of course, it also goes well with chicken, pork, or even fish dishes.

⭐️ Traditional vs. My Cheese-Loving Husband’s Version: Traditional Gratin Dauphinois is made without cheese, and many French people would insist that’s the only way to enjoy it. But my French husband, a cheese lover, happily sprinkles some on top when serving—so if you love cheese too, go ahead and try it!

⭐️ Great for Special Occasions: This dish is perfect for Christmas, family gatherings, or dinner parties—a true crowd-pleaser!