West country gratin

bbc.co.uk

This lighter version of a potato gratin is a meal in itself but would also work wonderfully with pork. This is designed to be a low cost recipe.

Ingredients

• 250g/9oz potatoes, peeled and cut into 2.5cm/1in cubes
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into 7.5mm/⅜in thick rounds
• 50g/1¾oz butter
• 1 leek, trimmed, cleaned and thinly sliced
• 200g/7oz cooking bacon pieces/diced cooking bacon, larger pieces cut into cubes
• 50g/1¾oz plain flour
• 200ml/7fl oz apple juice
• 300ml/10½ml milk
• salt and black pepper
• 1 bunch fresh thyme, leaves picked
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Preparation method

1. In a saucepan of boiling water, boil the potatoes for seven minutes, or until half cooked. Add the carrots and continue to boil for a further 7-8 minutes, or until both the carrots and potatoes are tender. Remove from the heat and drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the butter and, once melted, gently fry the leek and bacon together for 7-8 minutes, or until the leeks are soft and the bacon golden-brown.
3. Preheat the grill to hot.
4. Sprinkle the flour into the pan with the bacon, stir and cook on the heat for one minute. Gradually add the apple juice and milk, stirring as you add until you have a smooth sauce. Bring to a simmer and simmer for two minutes.
5. Add the cooked potatoes and carrots to the pan and mix well so that everything is coated in the sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Tip into a medium ovenproof baking dish (approximately 28x22cm/11x8½in in size). Sprinkle generously with fresh thyme leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Place under the preheated grill for 10 minutes, or until golden and piping hot.