Description
Creamy and comforting, Jamie Oliver’s courgette gratin brings Mediterranean warmth to your kitchen. Layers of zucchini, herbs, and rich cheese create a delightful side dish that invites you to savor its delicious simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 800 grams (28.2 ounces) courgettes, sliced
- 75 grams (2.6 ounces) gruyère cheese, grated
dairy ingredients:
- 100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) crème fraîche
- 50 milliliters (1.7 fluid ounces) milk
- 1 teaspoon flour
seasonings and additional ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Some thyme leaves
- Some basil leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 200°C (392°F) or 180°C (356°F) for convection settings, ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle for even heat distribution.
- Select a large skillet and drizzle olive oil, creating a light coating across the bottom of the pan over medium heat.
- Slice courgettes into uniform thin rounds, then gently place them into the heated skillet alongside fresh thyme leaves and chopped basil.
- Season the courgettes with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, stirring gently to ensure even coating and prevent sticking.
- Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and allow the vegetables to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and promote even cooking.
- Transfer the softened courgettes to a prepared oven-safe ceramic or glass baking dish, spreading them in a single layer for consistent heat exposure.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together crème fraîche, whole milk, and all-purpose flour until the mixture becomes smooth and free of lumps.
- Carefully pour the creamy sauce over the courgettes, ensuring partial coverage which will create a rustic, textured finish during baking.
- Generously sprinkle grated cheese across the top, selecting a blend that melts easily and provides rich, golden color.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbling edges indicating perfect doneness.
Notes
- Capture summer’s essence with a luxurious zucchini transformation that elevates simple vegetables into a gourmet experience.
- Master moisture control by pre-cooking courgettes, ensuring a concentrated flavor and preventing watery disappointment.
- Craft a creamy sauce using crème fraîche and flour, creating a silky texture that hugs each vegetable slice perfectly.
- Layer fresh herbs like thyme and basil to infuse depth and complexity into every delectable bite of the gratin.
- Build a golden, crispy cheese topping that provides stunning contrast to the tender, herb-laden vegetables beneath.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: UK
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 246 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg