Salmon, Leek and Potato Gratin
Serves 4
A mouthwatering bake with layers of
thinly sliced leek and potato combined with tender and flaky canned
salmon and a Gruyère-Parmesan cheese sauce.
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive
oil
2 cloves garlic — finely chopped
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon dried thyme
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup grated Gruyère cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 floury potatoes (such as Russet or Idaho)
1 leek — sliced into thin rounds
14 oz (400g) canned red salmon — bones removed and broken into
chunks
Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Heat
the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. COOK the garlic, lemon zest
and thyme for 2 minutes. ADD the flour and cook 1 minute, stirring
to combine. REMOVE from the heat and gradually add the milk,
stirring constantly, then return to the heat and cook, stirring,
until thickened. ADD the salt, pepper, Dijon mustard and ¾ cup of
the combined Parmesan and Gruyère cheese (reserving ¼ cup) and stir
until the cheese melts. REMOVE from the heat and stir in the parsley
and lemon juice. GREASE an 8-inch (20cm) square baking dish lightly
with olive oil. PEEL the potatoes and slice very thinly (using a
mandoline or slicing attachment on a food processor is easiest).
PLACE one sliced potato in a layer on the bottom of the baking dish,
overlapping slightly. ARRANGE one third of the sliced leek and
salmon evenly on top. SPOON over one quarter of the cheese sauce.
REPEAT the layers with the remaining potatoes, leek and salmon,
finishing with the final layer of potato and topping with the last
quarter of cheese sauce. SPRINKLE with the reserved ¼ cup of grated
cheese. COVER with foil and bake for 45 minutes, then remove the
foil, and bake for a further 30 minutes. ALLOW the gratin to stand
10 minutes before serving.
© MediterrAsian.com