Description
Indulge in the creamy and cheesy goodness of this Fennel Gratin, a delightful vegetarian side dish that perfectly balances flavors and textures. With tender fennel bulbs coated in a luscious cream sauce and topped with a golden, crispy crust, this gratin is sure to impress your dinner guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large fennel bulbs (trimmed and sliced)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Cream Sauce:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère or mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional:
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish.
- Sauté Fennel: In a skillet, cook fennel in butter and olive oil until golden. Add garlic.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: Combine cream, milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a saucepan.
- Layer Ingredients: Place half of the fennel in the baking dish, sprinkle with cheeses, and repeat. Pour the cream mixture over the top.
- Bake: Optionally top with breadcrumbs and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, garnish with herbs, and serve.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats or grilled seafood.
- For a lower-fat version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- You can prepare this dish ahead of time and reheat it gently in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
