One of my favorite "single-person" meals is a baked sweet potato with about three tablespoons of butter on top. It's the most delicious thing to eat when all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch a TV show. I love the act of eating something and watching something. In film school, I'd go to Chipotle right before class and sneak a burrito into the theater and sit in the back while watching some super artsy movie. It was very much against policy to eat in our school theater, but I couldn't help it--I wanted to watch the movie AND eat.
Whenever I do go to the movies now, I always try and convince Josh to get a burrito before, but he always wins because his argument about sitting down at an actual restaurant like a real human versus sneaking burritos in my purse is a valid one, you know. Sooo…now you know my single-person/gossip TV meal. This gratin is a hella fancy version of that...sorta.
This is Thanksgiving-table worthy. It's cheesy and slightly sweet and delicious.
I love a traditional gratin. It's maybe my favorite thing to make for Thanksgiving. I love a simple gratin with simple potatoes, lots of thyme and mushrooms. I make it every year. This is a twist on that. There's sweet potato in place of russett potatoes and I used beautiful chantrelles I got from the market.
Of course, you don't have to do all this. You could use this same exact recipe and swap in russett potatoes--it'll be delicious. If you can't find chantrelles, use creminis or oyster mushrooms. If you can't find comté use Gruyere!
I made the potatoes in a domino shape because I like to arrange things in wreath-like shapes. What is wrong with me right now.
You can do this, and if you do I think this little step-by-step photo series as to how I cut them is helpful. But if you don't want to bother, then don't! Cutting the potatoes in rounds like a traditional gratin will work great, too.
Thanksgiving is officially two weeks away. Do you have your menu set? (If you don't, I won't judge you because you're talking to the biggest procrastinator known to man.)
Ingredients
- 2-3 sweet potato yams
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tbls all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup comte cheese
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 3-4 chantrelle mushrooms about 1 ounce, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Two variations on this gratin could work: you could simply take your knife or mandolin and slice the potatoes into ⅛-inch thick rounds. Or you could do what's pictured above, which is to slice the tops and sides off. Halve the center piece of potato and then cut that into quarters. Cut each quarter into ⅛-inch thick slices and repeat the cutting process until you've gone through the remaining potatoes. Arrange the "domino" slices in a round 10-inch dish in a circular pattern, starting on the outside and working your way inward. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, set over medium heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and mix until the mixture is smooth. Pour in the milk and stir until the mixture has reached a slight simmer and has thickened; the béchamel should be thick enough to coat the back of your wooden spoon. Add the cheese, pepper, thyme leaves and nutmeg. Mix until the cheese is all melty. Salt to taste. I added about ½ teaspoon. Fold in the chopped chantrelle mushrooms.
- Pour the béchamel sauce over the arranged potatoes, using the back of your wooden spoon to even it out. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when poked with a knife and the sauce has bubbled. Remove and serve warm
Leslie says
Can't wait to make this and eat it on Thanksgiving!
Jayne says
I've been seeing all these cream based veggie gratins everywhere. Made one with broccoli and it was gorgeous with pasta! Loving this new addition to my life, especially with the rainy weather these days. Totally warms us up inside out. I cannot imagine this dish improved anymore. Sweet potatoes over Russett any day!
Rebecca says
Great Idea! I love it 😀
Francesca says
this looks delicious and is gonna make a scene at our friendsgiving : D
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
WANT THIS SOOOOOO BAWD.
Emily @ Life on Food says
This looks amazing! I love sweet potatoes and my husband does not. I often eat a baked sweet potato for dinner when he is away. A special treat for me.
Alanna says
This sounds like my idea of heaven, and it's sooooo pretty, too! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
cindy says
this looks bomb.com...said it. had to. I mean, I love my sweet potatoes on the savory side and cheese always wins.
Adrianna Adarme says
I need it on the savory side. It's too sweet if not. I don't really understand the marshmallow thing on top for dinner. Dessert? Yes. Dinner? Nooooooo
Ashley says
That's not a valid argument... Sneaking burritos anywhere in your purse is always a good idea. Maybe he's just jealous he doesn't have a burrito purse?
Adrianna Adarme says
Hahahahaha. Def not a valid argument. I want a burrito in my purse ALWAYS
hanna s. says
That bit about eating Chipotle burritos in movie theaters spoke to me. I've snuck in those, gigantic pizza slices, and the stinky alfredo pasta from pizza hut.
Adrianna Adarme says
I've done chicken wings from Domino's--it's glorious.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Seriously, hilarious that you snuck burritos into a movie! Haha!
You are a flavor genius! Sweet potato and chantrelles?!? Genius!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
Ahhhmazing. This looks seriously amazing and so beautiful. I'm going to try this setup in my next gratin for sure, it's so much prettier this way!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Please pass me a fork so I can dig in - who needs turkey when I can eat this?!
jennifer says
mix a little miso into some butter before you put it on a baked sweet potato. life-changing.
Adrianna Adarme says
Miso butter?!?! YES PLEASE. I'm going to try this. I always have miso paste in the fridge for soups and dressings. Never thought of adding it to a sweet potato.
Marygrace Taylor says
This is my dream side. In fact, I'd definitely be happy eating just this and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.