RECIPE: Turnip and Leek Gratin with Blue Cheese

From Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

Serves 4 modestly

Ingredients:

1 garlic clove and butter for the dish

1 cup half-and-half

6 thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf

3 large leeks, white parts only, cut into 1/4 inch rounds

1 1/2 pounds turnips, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds or half rounds

2 oz blue cheese, crumbled

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Rub a 2 quart gratin dish with the garlic, then with butter.

2. Heat the half-and-half with the remains of the garlic, 2 sprigs of thyme, and the bay leaf. When it’s close to boiling, turn off the heat and set aside.

3. Cook the leeks in 2 quarts of boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Scoop them out and put them in a bowl. Add the turnips to the water and cook for 4 minutes, then drain.

4. Layer the vegetables in the dish, intersperse the remaining thyme sprigs among them, season lightly with salt and pepper, and add the blue cheese. Pour the half-and-half through a strainer over the top.

5. Bake, uncovered, until the cream is absorbed and the top is browned, about 30 minutes.

Ann’s note: I used the scallions from our share in place of the leeks.

Submitted by Ann Tilley