Zucchini Gratin

Taste: ****
Difficulty: Easy
Cleanup: Moderate

I decided to make this Barefoot Contessa Zucchini Gratin as a side dish last night.  It was delicious — everyone raved about it!

I followed the recipe exactly other than using panko instead of fresh breadcrumbs.  The panko provided a nice crunch.

I used my mandolin to create beautiful, evenly sliced zucchini rounds.

I definitely plan to make this again.  Perhaps I’ll try a zucchini – summer squash combo for some additional color.

Zucchini Gratin
Barefoot Contessa

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for topping
• 1 pound yellow onions, cut in 1/2 and sliced (3 large)
• 2 pounds zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick (4 zucchini)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup hot milk
• 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup grated Gruyere

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a very large (12-inch) saute pan and cook the onions over low heat for 20 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Add the zucchini and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes. Stir in the flour. Add the hot milk and cook over low heat for a few minutes, until it makes a sauce. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 10-inch baking dish.

Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere and sprinkle on top of the zucchini mixture. Dot with 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small bits and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and browned.