This is a really simple and yet delicious bake which makes great use of any leftover ham and potatoes you might have that you want to use up. I don't always have leftover ham, and in that case I simply buy some slice ham, or a chunk of ham that I will shred and use in its place
I always have leftover potatoes however. They are a favourite vegetable in this house and so when I am cooking them, I will usually cook extra as they come in very handy for dishes like this, or simply for fried potatoes.
If you can make a cream sauce (or bechamel) or cheese sauce, then you can make this sauce. It is made from sliced leek and some garlic . . . cooked until meltingly soft in some butter . . .
A bit of flour gets mixed into them to make a roux, and then you simply wisk in warm milk . . . and keep whisking until you get a smooth velvety thick sauce.
I add a bit of mustard for flavour and some seasonings. You don't need a lot of salt really as ham can be fairly salty, but you will want a bit to counter act the blandness of the potatoes . . .
You layer the shredded ham in the casserole dish and top with sliced cooked potato. Simple . . .
The sauce gets poured over the whole top. I like to use a fork to gently lift the potatoes here and there, which enables some of the sauce to leak down into the bottom. You don't have to do this, some will make its way down there anyways, but I always do
Finally you scatter some buttered bread crumbs on top, not a lot, just one slice. You can remove the crusts or not as you wish.
A smattering of cheese gets sprinkled on top of them . . . I like a combination of strong cheddar and gruyere (Swiss). Its a great combination. After that you bake in the oven until the sauce is bubbling up and the whole thing is golden brown and a bit crispy on top. Comfort food indeed.
*Ham, Leek and Potato Gratin*
Serves 4
1 small clove, garlic peeled and minced
2 TBS plain flour
1 slice of buttered bread made into crumbs
4 TBS grated cheese (I like a mix of cheddar and gruyere)
Melt
the butter in a saucepan. Add the leek and cook, stirring frequently
over medium heat, until totally softened. Whisk in the flour to make a
roux. Slowly whisk in the warm milk, whisking contantly until the
mixture bubbles and thickens. Whisk in the mustard and cook for a few
minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, remembering that the ham
will be salty.
Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5. Butter a shallow gratin dish. Spread the ham out in the bottom of the dish. Top with the sliced potatoes and pour the sauce over the potatoes, Take a fork and kind of lift the potatoes a bit here and there to let the sauce run down into the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with the buttered bread crumbs and the cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Serve hot.
This is a great way of using up any leftover bits of ham you might have after the holidays, and truth be told I sometimes buy a small chunks of ham just to make it. I like to serve it with steamed green beans and a salad on the side, and for Todd some crusty bread. It always goes down a real treat! Bon Appetit!
This sounds wonderful and very similar to the cereals I have made. My problem has always been a bit of excess liquid. Should I use more bread crumbs or less cream?
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely quite sute what you mean Blondie! I think you will find that this is the right amount. If when you go to pour the sauce over top, you think you have too much for what you have in the dish, there is no need to use it all! Hope this helps! xoxo
DeleteGreat! Hi Jane:)
ReplyDeleteMarie have you been watching the Brtish Baking Sow w/ 2 families? I love it LOL..and someone made dauphinoises potatoes I think..made my mouth water..
Hi Monique! I am not familiar with that! Is it on Netflix? I would love to watch! I adore Dauphinois potatoes. So rich and decadent! I believe I have a recipe for them on here! Xo
DeleteI made this for supper tonight, but there must have been a mistake. The receipe said it was for 4, but we ate it all and there are only 2 of us! Delicious, thanks!
ReplyDeleteHaha Sara! So pleased it was enjoyed! Xo
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