Vegetable Au Gratin

We had a French inspired dinner last Sunday with Croissants (store bought) and Vegetable Au Gratin on the side. A table laid outdoors, bare with no distractions of threads and cutlery, completed the experience. Soaking in the setting sun with a wonderfully tasty spread is something we all can never have enough of.
The french expression "au gratin" refers to anything grated on top of the dish. Very commonly cheese.
Although this dish looks very sophisticated and prim, its one of the easiest things to prepare. And guaranteed to turn heads at a luncheon or pot luck.

Again, its a great way to get those vegetables into kids' tummies. The recipe I have used is inspired from here. I used beans, carrots, kohlrabi, spinach(a lot) and potatoes for veggies but the options are limitless. Am sure shallow-fried onion would add a dash of intense flavour to the dish.

Vegetable Au Gratin

Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20-25 mins

Ingredients 

1 cup Boiled Vegetables
1 cup Spinach cut washed and cooked
1 cup White Sauce
1 tbsp Cream Cheese (optional)
1/2 cup (or lesser) cheese (I used Mozzarella)
1 tsp Garlic powder (optional)
1 tsp Cumin powder (optional)
1 tsp Coriander powder (optional)
1 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt to taste

For 1 cup White Sauce

1 tbsp Butter
1 tsp All purpose Flour
3/4 cup Milk
1 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F
2. Keep a shallow baking dish (3 inches * 5 inches * 1 inch) ready
3. Mix cream cheese and 1 tbsp of mozzarella cheese to the white sauce.
4. Add in the spices, garlic powder and salt and mix well
5. Fold in the boiled vegetables and spinach
6. Pour this mixture into the baking dish, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top
7. Bake at 400 F for 20-25 mins till the top has become golden brown.
8. Leave it in the oven with the door open for another few minutes (optional)
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool

How to make White Sauce

1. Heat butter in a heavy bottomed vessel, add all purpose flour and mix till it becomes frothy on low-medium heat
2. Add 3/4 cup Milk and stir continuously till the sauce thickens. Around 5 mins
3. Add in black pepper powder and salt to taste