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Cheesy Potato Gratin Stacks in Muffin Tin Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 657 reviews

These Cheesy Potato Gratin Stacks are a delightful twist on traditional gratin, baked in a muffin tin for individual servings. Featuring thinly sliced starchy potatoes layered with creamy garlic-infused sauce and melted gruyere cheese, they’re perfect as a side dish or a tasty finger food for any occasion. The stacks are baked until tender and golden, garnished with fresh thyme for an aromatic finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes and Cheese

  • 1.2 kg / 2.4 lb starchy potatoes (large long ones, peeled and sliced)
  • 75g / 2.5 oz gruyere cheese (sliced into 12 squares to fit muffin tin)
  • 3/4 cup gruyere cheese (shredded)

Cream Sauce and Seasoning

  • 30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
  • 1/2 cup heavy / thickened cream
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 3/4 tsp dried)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Black pepper (to taste)

Other

  • Oil spray (for muffin tin, or use butter for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C), suitable for all oven types to ensure even baking of the stacks.
  2. Brush Muffin Tin with Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Lightly brush the inside of each muffin tin hole with the melted butter to prevent sticking and add flavor. Reserve the remaining butter for the cream sauce.
  3. Prepare Cream Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the remaining melted butter and cook for about 20 seconds to release its aroma. Pour in the heavy cream and salt, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer gently for 30 seconds before removing from heat. Keep this sauce warm for later use.
  4. Slice Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and trim the base so they stand upright. Cut into cylinder shapes sized to fit inside muffin tin wells. Slice these cylinders into 2mm (approximately 1/10 inch) thin slices using a mandolin or a very sharp knife for uniformity.
  5. Assemble Potato Stacks: Place the potato slices in the muffin tin holes, stacking them about halfway up. Try to match slice sizes to create neat, evenly stacked towers.
  6. Drizzle Cream Sauce: Using half of the cream mixture, drizzle about 1 teaspoon over each potato stack, ensuring even coverage to imbue moisture and flavor.
  7. Add Cheese Slices: Place a square slice of gruyere cheese on top of each stack to provide a rich melted cheese layer.
  8. Top with More Potatoes, Cream, and Thyme: Add remaining potato slices atop the cheese layer until stacks reach about 1cm (1/3 inch) above the muffin tin rim, as they will settle during baking. Drizzle the remaining cream mixture over the stacks and sprinkle most of the thyme leaves, reserving some for final garnish.
  9. Bake Covered: Loosely cover the muffin tin with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until potatoes are completely cooked through. Test doneness by inserting a small sharp knife; it should slide through without resistance.
  10. Add Shredded Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded gruyere cheese evenly on top of each stack. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
  11. Garnish with Thyme: Once out of the oven, sprinkle the remaining fresh thyme leaves over the stacks for a final herbaceous note.
  12. Rest and Remove: Allow the gratin stacks to stand for 5 minutes to set. Use a tablespoon or butter knife to gently loosen them from the muffin tin before serving.
  13. To Serve: Serve as a side dish with dinner, as warming finger food, or for breakfast alongside eggs and bacon for a hearty start to the day.

Notes

  • Note 1: Using large, long starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Gold helps achieve the right texture and stacking shape.
  • Note 2: Gruyere is preferred for its melting quality and flavor but can be substituted with other melting cheeses like Emmental or Fontina.
  • Note 3: Gently remove stacks with a spoon or butter knife to maintain their shape.

Keywords: potato gratin, cheesy potato stacks, gruyere, baked potatoes, side dish, individual gratins, muffin tin recipe, creamy potatoes, thyme, garlic cream sauce

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/cheesy-potato-gratin-stacks-in-muffin-tin-recipe/