| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 45 mins – 55 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 475 | 30g | 18g | 37g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 3g | 22g | 0.8g |
I must confess, when I first stumbled onto the Land Cress and Potato Gratin in my culinary explorations, I fell deeply, irrevocably in love with it. Bridging the culinary gap between my Southern American roots and my West African heritage, it was a love affair steeped in rich, creamy layers of potato, subtly spiced land cress and a delightful melange of cheeses.
The generous use of whole foods in this recipe such as land cress and potatoes, adds natural fiber to your meal. This aids digestion and offers a feeling of satiety – a bonus if you are being mindful of your intake. Furthermore, the use of milk products such as heavy cream and full fat milk offer a good source of calcium, protein and Vitamin D which are key to maintaining bone health.
The Magic of Fusion Cooking
This recipe reminds me quite a bit of West African yam and greens casserole, a homely dish my Nigerian parents would often make. It epitomizes the best of both my worlds – the comforting familiarity of gratin that is so synonymous with Southern cuisine coupled with the unique, peppery tang of land cress, reminiscent of many West African green dishes.
Perfect Pairings
For those looking for some inspiration on what to pair this dish with, why not consider something from the protein side of the culinary aisle? This gratin would work perfectly with a simply grilled chicken breast or a herb-rubbed fish fillet. If you’re a vegetarian, the Land Cress and Potato Gratin is robust enough to be your main dish, pop a stuffed roasted pepper on the side – Beautiful! If you wanted to stick to dishes within the Afro-Southern sphere, this gratin pairs splendidly with Spicy Southern Collard Greens.
But no matter how you choose to serve the Land Cress and Potato Gratin, remember – good food is made with love, so take your time and relish the process. Every slice of potato and every grate of the cheese culminates to create a dish that’s truly unique and packed with flavor. Cooking is art after all – your delicious masterpiece awaits your personal touch.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs of potatoes (preferably Yukon Gold), peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cups of land cress, washed and roughly chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of full-fat milk
- 1 cup of grated Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
- A few fresh sprigs of thyme for garnish (optional)
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating up, using the 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, generously grease a baking dish large enough to fit all of the potatoes comfortably.
Step Two
In a large saucepan, combine the sliced potatoes with the minced garlic, heavy cream, and full-fat milk. Season this mixture with salt, freshly ground black pepper to taste, and a pinch of nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a boil over a medium heat, then lower the heat and let it simmer. Stir the mixture frequently to avoid the potatoes sticking to each other.
Step Three
When the potatoes have become tender but still hold their shape (this should take about 10-12 minutes), remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the chopped land cress and mix until it wilts in the warm potato cream mixture.
Step Four
Using a slotted spoon, transfer half of the potato-land cress mixture into your prepared baking dish, layering them evenly. Sprinkle half of the Gruyère cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese over this layer.
Step Five
Repeat the above step with the remaining potato-land cress mixture and cheese.
Step Six
Pour the remaining cream from the saucepan over the potato and cheese layers in the baking dish, ensuring it distributes evenly. Bake the gratin in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes or until it’s golden-brown and bubbling.
Step Seven
Once cooked, let the gratin cool for about 10 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for added flavor and a pleasing visual touch. Enjoy this hearty Land Cress and Potato Gratin as a side dish or a vegetarian main dish!
