#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

OMG 5-Minute Individual Potato Gratin

September 10, 2009 · Narrative

Potato Gratin

As soon as I took the first bite of this 5-Minute Individual Potato Gratin, I immediately thought of my Mom.  She’s a big fan of gratins, as am I, and I know she will love these.  The recipe comes from Melissa D’Arabian, the newest addition to Food Network‘s line-up (you can read more about her here), and when she was making this, she mentioned that her little girls love helping her make it.  After you get the chopping out of the way, it’s a great recipe to get help from the little hands in your house, since the rest of it is layer, layer, layer.

With just a bit of chopping and layering, the recipe is very easy prep-wise, and once all the ingredients are layered in the muffin tin, it peacefully does its thing in the oven for 35-40 minutes.  Once you have it in the oven, it’s the perfect time to begin working on your main course … I made a Chicken Fried Steak recipe for dinner, and by the time the steak was done, so were the potatoes, perfect timing.

The individual nature of the dish makes it a great little side for your next grown-up soiree, but the ease of the recipe makes it perfect for a hectic weeknight as well.  And, of course, if your kids will eat this sort of thing, all the better.  Nick said he would “force” himself to try it and managed to make it through one whole individual gratin, so I’ll take that as a personal victory.  I took one gratin apart and gave Madeline the potato pieces, so it worked well for the toddler set too.

As for me?

With the tender potato bites studded by bits of cheese and overall creaminess, it was a swoon from the first bite.   The recipe is very flexible too, as I swapped out several ingredients to use what I hand on hand (cippolini onions went in for the scallions and Fontina for the Swiss), and it was still excellent.  I guarantee this one will be hitting my table again and again, and it will be just perfect for an upcoming Fall-themed Moms Night In gathering next month.  Total yum.

5-Minute Individual Potato Gratins
Recipe courtesy of Melissa D’Arabian

  • Vegetable spray
  • 2 large russet potatoes, roughly peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Spray 8 muffin tins with vegetable spray. Layer potato slices, cheese, and onions into each muffin cup. Season with salt and pepper and top each gratin with 1 or 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, removing the foil halfway through cooking time. Invert gratins onto plate and serve.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: 5-Minute Individual Potato Gratin, Food Network, Melissa D'Arabian

Comments

  1. Aggie says

    September 10, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    I saw her make this on the show and thought it was a great idea! Yours look great. Am definitely going to make these with my little ones.

    Reply
  2. Claire says

    September 10, 2009 at 11:46 pm

    This looks quite good! I’m going to have to remember this for dinner parties.

    Reply
  3. Joanne says

    September 11, 2009 at 6:15 am

    This does sound great for a dinner party but also perfect for a normal night side dish! The perfect versatile meal. I havent’ seen Melissa’s show yet but one of these days I would really like to watch it.

    Reply
  4. Erica says

    September 11, 2009 at 6:41 am

    LOVE your blog- can’t wait to look around more. I love Melissa and her new show…these look so tasty. I know my husband would also be able to “force” a few of these gratins down ;)

    Reply
  5. Kris #40 says

    September 11, 2009 at 7:48 am

    This is an OMG! I’m thinking I would like these right now for breakfast!

    Paula Deen’s French Toast casserole (minus pecans – my family doesn’t like nuts) will be one of the items on my menu on Sunday. Thanks for the suggestion.

    I think I will try candy Bacon too.

    Reply
  6. leslie says

    September 11, 2009 at 9:06 am

    Looks divine. I love anything potato

    Reply
  7. girlichef says

    September 11, 2009 at 9:37 am

    YUM! Potatoes and cheese tucked into muffins tins…what’s not to love. I will have to try making these…I know the kiddos would gobble ’em up. Well, so would I, but… :)

    Reply
  8. Debbie says

    September 11, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Looks delicious. Melissa is one talented and creative lady!

    Reply
  9. Starnesfam says

    September 11, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    I love this recipe. Been making a ton of Pioneer Woman’s Crash Hot Potatoes and so this will be a nice change. As always, love your blog!

    Reply
  10. Patsy says

    September 11, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    I keep missing her show! Must remember to set the DVR this weekend! I’ve been playing with this idea in my head for a week or 2 but hadn’t put it into action yet. Looks fabulous!

    Reply
  11. Michele says

    September 11, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    A bunch of us on bakespace made this for our coast to coast challenge and we all loved it!

    Reply
  12. Joni Lloyd says

    September 11, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    looks delish!! i love melissa’s recipes. i will have to try these. thanks for stopping by my blog by the way!

    Reply
  13. Sarah @ In A Dream says

    September 11, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    Those look so good! I think I could even make them on my college-student budget!!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Donna says

    September 11, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    SOOO grateful for your review on these. I plan on trying them shortly. Look delicious!!

    Reply
  15. Cynthia says

    September 11, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    I heard her mention this recipe while competing in the show. Looks and sounds delicious.

    Reply
  16. Jilly says

    September 14, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    I saw this too and thought NUM! I am grilling BBQ ribs tonight, this will be my side dish!

    Reply
  17. Jilly says

    September 18, 2009 at 11:23 am

    So I tried these Monday night, and for some reason mine were kind of soupy, what do you think I did wrong. I love your blog and your website btw. You have the BEST recipes and write wonderful reviews. Best of luck in all that you do!

    Reply
  18. Cate says

    September 21, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    Jilly – first thought would be too much cream added to the top. Second thought would be if you used a different type of potato. I used Yukons and they were fine. Reds might be too moist a potato.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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