Name: Potato and fennel gratin
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 115 min
Yield: 4 - 6
Ingredients: 600 ml pouring cream; 750 gm Desiree potatoes; 2 small fennel bulbs (140gm each), trimmed, thinly sliced; 2 golden shallots, shaved; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 80 gm each finely grated parmesan and mozzarella; 40 gm butter, diced, plus 30gm extra, melted; 80 gm coarse sourdough breadcrumbs; ½ tsp smoked paprika, plus extra to serve; 2½ tbsp finely chopped rosemary, plus extra sprigs, to serve

Potato and fennel gratin

Cheesy, creamy potatoes paired with fennel make for a standout side dish.

Serves 4 - 6

Prep

25M

Cook

1H 30M

Total

1H 55M

Ingredients

600 ml pouring cream

750 gm Desiree potatoes

2 small fennel bulbs (140gm each), trimmed, thinly sliced

2 golden shallots, shaved

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

80 gm each finely grated parmesan and mozzarella

40 gm butter, diced, plus 30gm extra, melted

80 gm coarse sourdough breadcrumbs

½ tsp smoked paprika, plus extra to serve

2½ tbsp finely chopped rosemary, plus extra sprigs, to serve

Method

1.Preheat oven to 180˚C. Butter base and side of a 1.5-litre capacity oval ovenproof dish.

2.Place cream in a bowl, thinly slice potatoes and fennel on a mandolin straight into cream; season to taste and stir gently to combine. Layer potatoes and fennel in prepared dish, scattering shallots, garlic and three-quarters of the cheese between layers, seasoning well as you go. Pour cream over the top of the dish filling to three-quarters (you may not need it all) and dot evenly with cubes of butter; push potato and fennel mixture down to submerge in cream. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake until golden brown and potatoes are tender (11/2 hours). Remove from oven and gently push the potato and fennel mixture down with a large metal spoon.

3.Meanwhile, combine breadcrumbs in a bowl with melted butter, rosemary and paprika, season to taste and scatter over gratin, then top with remaining cheese. Return to oven and bake until crumbs are golden (6-8 minutes), stand for 10 minutes, then scatter with extra rosemary sprigs.

Profile Dominic Smith

Styling by Olivia Blackmore