Making a Perfect Vegan Gratin
Three ways to make a vegan gratin that embrace the soul of this comfort food preparation: Pommes Dauphinois, Brussels Sprout Gratin and Macaroni and ‘Cheese’ Gratin
Who can resist that golden crust that forms on the surface of a gratin or the creamy interior bubbling just beneath the surface? This is warming comfort food. It is food that embraces the soul.
The protective layer that forms on the surface improves the taste of the food and prevents it from drying up. Traditional gratins are mostly prepared with a béchamel sauce, strongly flavored grated hard cheese or simply breadcrumbs crumbled together with melted butter. In the vegan world, the protective layer is created in a similar fashion but with some obvious differences that drop the use of animal products.
My Pommes Dauphinois recipe is my take on the classic French preparation. It is a simple conversion replacing the milk/cream mixture with a combination of soy and oat milk, then substituting the butter with extra virgin olive oil. The end result is similar and equally delicious. The Brussels Sprout Gratin uses a classic vegan béchamel sauce that gratinates beautifully and keeps the sprouts moist. The Macaroni and ‘Cheese’ recipe uses pureed cauliflower, oat cream, nutritional yeast and other flavorings to create a surprisingly cheesy end result.
I hope these recipes start your year in the kitchen with delicious dishes you will enjoy throughout the year and beyond.
Please feel free to leave a comment below or share your creations with me or on your social media sites. I am always happy to hear from you or answer your questions.
Pommes Dauphinois
Gratins made in the traditional style from Dauphine in France, get their name from the golden crust that forms on the surface of a dish when it is cooked in a hot oven. The crust is usually formed from grated cheese, breadcrumbs or egg. A very traditional Dauphinois is made simply with potatoes and cream, so the challenge of making it wholly plant-based relies completely on selecting the correct replacement for the cream.