Parsnip gratin recipe

Parsnip gratin
Cosy up with this delicious gratin, baked golden-brown - Matt Austin

Some people have a love-hate relationship with parsnips, perhaps stemming from a poorly cooked Sunday roast, but there are many ways to transform them, from mashing to soups to turning them into tasty little fried snacks. This gratin could easily replace cauliflower cheese, or even roast parsnips, alongside a traditional roast. It would also make a great stand-alone dish for vegetarians.

Timings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Serves

4

Ingredients

  • 400g parsnips, trimmed and peeled if the skin is very rough

  • 400ml double cream

  • 2 medium garlic cloves, grated

  • 150g cheddar, grated

For the crust

  • 50g fresh white breadcrumbs

  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley

  • 20g melted butter

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5.

  2. Cut the parsnips into rough 2cm chunks.

  3. Bring the cream to the boil with the garlic and season to taste then take off the heat.

  4. Mix the infused cream with the parsnips and 100g of the grated cheese in a gratin dish and place in a roasting tray or another larger baking dish. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the gratin dish. Cook in the oven for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and the parsnips are soft.

  5. Mix the breadcrumbs with the parsley, melted butter and the rest of the cheddar and season. Scatter over the parsnips and grill for a couple of minutes until golden.

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