Parsnip Gratin with Gruyere and Thyme

I am baffled by the number of people who tell me they don't like parsnips. Somehow it feels like being socked in the stomach. It feels so personal. And of course there is no use in attempting to convince anyone into liking them, but that hasn't stopped me from trying. It usually backfires. Isn't it true, that once we make up our mind about something, or someone for that matter,  it's nearly impossible to change it? So it won't matter if I tell you how soulful they are. How wisely designed they are for the coldness of winter with their hardy physical makeup, or how their flavors are like a song about the earth, with notes of sweetness, and depth.  It is not something that can be told with words. It must be experienced.  But one thing I can do,  is share a parsnip recipe that might possibly convert even the most hardened of parsnip skeptics.

I've found, the smell alone, will melt away much of the resistance. To me, this baking in the oven, is heavenly.

If you are interested in experimenting more with parsnips, this Roasted Parsnip Soup is one of my favorites.


Normally with recipes, I recommend playing around with them. For this recipe however, there are few tips that will help ensure a successful outcome. Firstly, do not substitute whole milk or half and half, or the gratin will end up watery. Using fresh thyme is essential. Using fresh whole nutmeg is a nice touch, but you could substitute ground nutmeg. I have substituted pecorino and manchego cheese for the gruyere and it tasted great. I have also substituted yukon gold potatoes or peeled russets for half of the parsnips, and it works well. Using a mandolin makes this so much easier to make. If you don't have a mandolin, slice parsnips as thinly as humanly possible. Lastly, it's imperative to let this sit 15-20 minutes before serving, to ensure it sets up nicely and thickens.

This can be made ahead, baked ahead and reheated before serving. It's actually quite good reheated.

Peel the parsnips.

Slice them very thinly.

Thinly slice an onion. Generously butter a 6x9 baking dish.

Begin layering parsnips, onion, gruyere and a little thyme. It's OK if this part is a little messy.

Reserve some of the larger pieces of parsnip for the top and arrange in nice, even, overlapping rows.

Heat heavy cream and whisk in mined garlic, salt, fresh nutmeg, white pepper, flour and thyme.

Pour cream mixture over the layered parsnips, tilting the pan to so liquid coats all the nooks and crannies.

Top with the remaining gruyere, a sprinkling of thyme and a pinch of nutmeg.

Freshly ground nutmeg is more aromatic than the pre-ground spice. Buy whole nutmeg (often sold in jars in the spice section of supermarkets) and scrape it against the finest holes of a box grater, or use  a micro-plane grater. It's OK to use ground nutmeg, but this will give the dish that extra special flavor.

Cover tightly with foil and place in a 400F oven. Bake 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15-20 minutes uncovered, until golden and bubbly. Let stand for 15-20 minutes before serving so it has a chance to thicken and set up.

When you get to know parsnips, allowing yourself to see beyond their rough exterior, you'll discover an unexpected sweetness. It's quite surprising.
Have you ever met someone, who perhaps, was a little rough around the edges, not someone you envisioned becoming close to, but after spending time with them, you found unexpected wisdom, and warmth, and even friendship? These are the parsnips of the world. The salt of the earth. The ones who nourish us in their own special way.

Parsnip Gratin with Gruyere and Thyme

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Parsnip Gratin with Gruyere and Thyme

by Sylvia Fountaine - Feasting at Home Blog November-1-2012

Parsnip Gratin with melty gruyere, garlic,fresh nutmeg, thyme... the perfect vegetarian side dish, great for holidays!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 lbs Parsnips
• 1 med onion
• 3 Cups heavy whipping cream
• for greasing pan Butter
• 1/4 tsp fresh nutmeg ( or ground)
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 T Fresh Thyme
• 1 T Flour or Rice Flour
• 3 large minced cloves garlic
• 6 ounces, grated gruyere cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 F
Peel Parsnips. Using a mandolin, slice parsnips to 1/8 thin slices. This thinner the slices the better. If you don't have a mandolin, slice them as thinly as possible.
Thinly slice the onion.
Grate the cheese.
Generously grease a 6x 9 inch baking dish with butter.

Layer the parsnips and onion and 1/2 of the cheese and 1/2 of the thyme, reserving the bigger pieces of parsnips for the final layer. Press down and make sure layers are even. It's OK if the inside layers are messy. Place the last layer of parsnip slices in nice looking overlapping rows.

In a small pot heat 3 Cups whipping cream. Whisk in salt, nutmeg, the remaining thyme, white pepper, flour and the garlic and when it just comes to a simmer, pour over the layered parsnips, slanting the baking dish to get the cream in all the nooks and crannies. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, a few more leaves of thyme and a little sprinkling of nutmeg. Cover securely with a lid or foil and bake for 50 minutes on the middle rack. Remove foil, pierce with fork, parsnips should be al dente. (If not- your parsnips were perhaps cut thicker that 1/8 of an inch, and you may need to cook longer with the foil on. ) Don't worry if it seems watery at this point, bake another 15 minutes uncovered , or until golden and bubbly. It is important to let it sit at room temp for 15-20 minutes before serving, so it sets and thickens.

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 1 hour 10 mins Total time: 1 hour 25 mins Yield: 6