a good easy gratin

i love eating out. one of my favorite things to order is a dish that is stacked with some type of gratin, a protein and veggies. yummy!

also potatoes au gratin are what my kids always want when they are home. it is by far one of their favorite foods. it's just so much work and so time consuming to prepare. tonight i found a recipe that was really easy and quite good in my opinion.

i stacked a marinated mahi mahi on top (from Trader Joe's) and made a fresh simple tomato/cucumber salad. although i think salmon with some sort of glaze would be much better along with roasted vegies (Heidi's idea). i simply think that the flavors would blend better, more smoothly.

anyway here is the recipe along with a bit of editing from me (i can not, not do that to a recipe). i recommend it, its good and easy. it's a small serving though, enough for two with a leftover. i hope you like it if you try it.

4 - 6 medium potatoes | sliced thinly (i used my new mandolin i got for my birthday (o:)
1/2 pint cream
butter to coat dish
about 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan reggiano
clove of garlic | chopped
fresh thyme
nutmeg
fresh chives
salt & pepper

heat oven 375.

in saucepan heat cream, sprig of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and chopped garlic slowly.
butter shallow baking dish (about 8 inches).
layer potatoes overlapping a bit / one layer at a time. generously salt and pepper each layer and sprinkle with some freshly chopped chives.
after each layer sprinkle about 3 - 4 tablespoons parmesan and drizzle 1/3 of cream/spice mixture over.
do three layers.

cook at 375 about 45 minutes, when brown and yummy looking add one more topping of parmesan and brown.

let it set about 15 minutes before cutting.

i am not a food stylist or a photographer (you'll have to visit my kids sites for that kind of talent). i am a decent cook though.
(*/*)