Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Here is a dish that is perfect for the holidays, or anytime you want to make new friends that never want to leave because your dinners are so AWESOME. This recipe is a variation of Gratin Dauphinoise, a classic French scalloped potato dish. I guarantee that you will not have leftovers, because everyone will have seconds. And thirds.

NOTE: I prefer to use a mandolin to cut the potatoes, but if you do not have one, you may use a very sharp knife to slice them. Because it takes a little while to cook, you can start preparing ahead by cutting the potatoes the day before. Place the potatoes into a plastic container covered with cold water, to prevent them from oxidizing, and refrigerate. Drain them very well a few minutes before you assemble your dish.

Ingredients:

6 Idaho potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1/8 inch thick slices
1 ½ cup of heavy cream
2 cups of evaporated milk
2 cups of grated Gruyere cheese
1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons of minced shallots
5 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon ground oregano
¼ teaspoon ground thyme
¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
¼ teaspoon of black pepper
Pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Pour the cream and milk into a 2 or 3-quart saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat.

3. Add the oregano, thyme, nutmeg, black pepper and a pinch of salt. Stir the mixture and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

4. In a small bowl, mix the minced shallot with the minced garlic and set aside.

5. When the milk-cream mixture is hot enough, pour one ladle of it into a deep baking dish. Immediately begin lining the potato slices on the bottom of the dish, and then sprinkle Gruyere, Parmesan and the shallot mixture over them. Repeat this step three more times to create layers - and don't worry about overlapping potatoes.

6. Place the baking dish on top of a sheet pan and into the oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees and continue baking for another 20 minutes.

7. When the potatoes are fully cooked, take them out of the oven and let it sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.