Pearls and Taters Gratin

If you are like me, you’re always looking for a new way tuck a few potatoes in the meal. After all, after the meat, the next question becomes, “what kind of potatoes shall I fix with that?”

Well, you won’t go wrong with this dish. It’s cheesy which is always good, and has lovely pearl onions which I adore. A bit more work than the average dish, but not enough to keep it off the menu.

If you follow the tips on cleaning your pearls, it will go quickly.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1 medium clove minced garlic (about 1 teaspoon)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds small new potatoes
1 1/2 pounds pearl onions
1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch lardons
2 tablespoons heavy cream
6 ounces grated Comté or Gruyère cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

Adjust an oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk together 1 tablespoon parsley, bread crumbs, and garlic in a medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
Place potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Add 2 tablespoons salt and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, peel onions by cutting off tops and bottoms, scoring a light X on one cut side, and plunging in boiling water for 1 minute. Rinse under cool running water. Peels should come off easily by hand or with the help of a paring knife. Set aside.
Place bacon in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, until bacon begins to crisp. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until bacon is browned and crisp all over, about 8 minutes total. Remove the bacon to a towelling covered dish. Add potatoes and onions and saute until browned nicely on all sides. Drain off most of the bacon grease. Add heavy cream, and remaining tablespoon parsley and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer mixture to a rectangular casserole dish. Cover with cheese and transfer to oven. Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over top and return to oven. Bake until browned and bubbly, about 15 minutes longer. Allow to cool slightly, and serve.

SERVES: 6

NOTES: Feel free to substitute any cheese you wish.

SOURCE: Adapted from Serious Eats