Gratin

To prepare a culinary delight that will please the taste buds of those around you, start with a careful selection of quality ingredients. The first step is to wash, peel, and slice the potatoes. Choose suitable cooking potatoes, such as 'sweet' or 'floury' types, which will provide a pleasant texture to the dish. Place them in a pot of lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Let them boil for about 10 minutes until they become a little softer. After boiling, drain them and let them cool.

If you opt for fresh broccoli, wash it well under cold running water, then break it into small, uniform florets. These will cook faster and integrate perfectly into the dish. Boil the broccoli florets in salted water for a few minutes, just enough to soften slightly while retaining their vibrant color. If using frozen broccoli, ensure you take it out of the freezer well in advance to thaw completely, then place it in a strainer, being careful not to have ice crystals.

While the potatoes and broccoli are cooling, prepare a delicious sauce. In a large skillet, add the bacon and thinly sliced pork belly. Fry them over medium heat until crispy and fragrant. Then, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. Towards the end, add the crushed garlic and finely chopped herbs to intensify the flavors. Once the ingredients are well sautéed, sprinkle in the flour or cornstarch, stirring quickly to avoid lumps. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously, and let the sauce simmer on low heat until it thickens and reaches a creamy consistency, similar to sour cream. Don’t forget to salt and pepper to taste, then let the sauce cool slightly.

Prepare a heat-resistant dish that you grease well with butter. Place an even layer of potatoes, then add the broccoli florets, distributed evenly. Pour the warm sauce over the vegetables, ensuring they are well covered. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and, if you want an extra flavor boost, decorate with slices of mozzarella. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and place the dish in the middle zone, allowing it to bake until it is nicely browned and the cheese becomes golden and bubbly.

Serve the dish warm, but you will find it just as tasty when cold, perfect for enjoying at a meal with friends or family. This dish not only satisfies hunger but also adds a touch of elegance to any occasion.

 Ingredients: -bacon or smoked pastrami -smoked bacon -potatoes -broccoli -1-2 onions, depending on size -3-5 cloves of garlic -grated gouda cheese -slices of mozzarella, optional -basil, to taste -rosemary, to taste -500-1000 ml of milk, depending on the amount of potatoes and broccoli used -2-4 tablespoons of flour or starch, depending on the amount of milk used -2-4 tablespoons of olive oil -butter for the mold

 Tags:  onion cheese garlic potatoes milk unt flour oil olives recipes for children