SANDRA'S INDIVIDUAL DUAL POTATOES AU GRATIN

These potatoes are a perfect marriage together flavor-wise
~ It's a beautiful thing ~

Servings: (2)
Prep: 15 Mins. |
Par-Boil: 5 Mins. |
Bake: 35 to 45 Mins. |
Stand: 15 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 medium sweet potato, peeled, and sliced 1/8” thick
1 medium russet potato, peeled, and sliced 1/8” thick

2 green onions, sliced

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon rice flour (or all-purpose flour)

Laying out ingredients beforehand

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon dry marjoram

Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

½ cup monterey jack cheese, grated

½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes

***Optional sautéed additions:
-- 3 pre-cooked smoked ham slices
-- 6 zucchini slices

-- 6 yellow pepper slices
--Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two individual ovenproof gratin dishes, sprayed with baking spray (or a 9”x9x2” square casserole dish), and set aside. Prepare two baking sheets, lined with tin foil, then paper towels, and set aside. Cut up the cold butter, and store in a small bowl in refrigerator.

Using a mandolin or a knife, slice the potatoes 1/8” thick and place in a pot, cover with cold water, and add ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon oil, and bring to boil. Gently stir potatoes to prevent them from sticking together, and par-boil for 3 minutes. Drain potato slices in a colander, and using tongs place the hot potato slices by their respective color on separate prepared baking sheets to drain (and so they don’t stick together), and set aside.

To prevent sticking together

Meanwhile, whisk the milk in the measuring cup, with the rice flour, garlic powder, marjoram, and kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste. In a separate small bowl, combine the two shredded cheeses. Slice the green onions, and set aside.

The first alternating layer of potatoes

Arrange the sliced potatoes in the gratin dishes by alternately placing ½ of them in the bottom, then sprinkle with 1/2 of the butter cubes, green onions, milk, and mixed cheeses equally, then repeat with a final layer.

Remove the foil from one baking sheet, and replace it with a new sheet. Place the gratin dishes atop and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until potatoes are tender when poked with a paring knife. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes.

Gratin dishes ready for the oven

Meanwhile (if making the optional additions) heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil a large nonstick skillet to medium-high heat, and saute the listed ingredients, for about 3 minutes until veggies are crisp-tender.

To serve, using mitts place the hot gratin dishes onto heatproof serving plates, and surround each with sautéed ham slices and vegetables. – Enjoy.

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Tip:  Once these are assembled  they can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator several hours before baking if you decide to make them ahead of time...just be sure to let them reach room temperature 30 minutes prior to placing in oven.

SANDRA'S GRILLED FRESH VEGETABLE MEDLEY

I was inspired by my brother 
who barbecued
while visiting me here in Juneau 
when he grilled a similar side dish...

Servings: (2 to 4)
Prep: 5 Mins. |
Grill: 10 to 15 Mins.,
depending desired crispiness

Posted: by Sandra at:

Special Equipment: 
--Grilling Basket
--Charcoal Grill (preferably)


INGREDIENTS

1 red onion, chopped into 1” pieces
1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1” pieces
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into 1” pieces
1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise, and chopped into 1” pieces
1 cup of crimini mushrooms, quartered lengthwise
--(or button mushrooms)
2 teaspoons olive oil
kosher salt, and ground pepper, to taste
½ cup store-bought yoshida sauce
--(or for Sandra’s recipe, click here: Sandra's Homemade Yoshida Sauce)

METHOD

Set an empty heatproof medium bowl aside with the grilling basket inside of it, including another small bowl with containing just the yoshida sauce with a basting brush, and a set of tongs.

In a large ziploc bag, place all the cut up veggies into it, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle them with kosher salt, and ground pepper, to taste. Toss to coat inside the veggies inside bag, and pour into the grilling basket sitting inside the medium bowl (this is to prevent drips while transporting back and forth to grill).

Place just the grilling basket of seasoned veggies on the grill over indirect heat, and using the pastry brush – dip it in the yoshida sauce and let the sauce drizzle over the veggies, an then give them a gentle toss with tongs. Repeat every 2 minutes, until your desired crisp-tender doneness is achieved; about 10 to 15 minutes. – Enjoy!


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Tip: This sounds like a lot of veggies, but believe me they cook down quite a bit.  I’m sure you’ll love this recipe – it’s one of our “go-to” side dishes for sure. Also, you might wish to incorporate 1” pieces of summer squash, asparagus, green beans, etc. Let your imagination go wild! Further,  feel free to roast them using a baking pan at 400 degrees in the oven for the same amount of time using the same method to drizzle the sauce every couple of minutes.