Courgette and Carrot Gratin (Zucchini)

Thursday 13 May 2010

Courgette and Carrot Gratin 



 I saw Ina Garten making something similar to this on the telly the other day. It looked really tasty. I thought to myself . . . "I can make something like that, only I can make it even tastier."



  Courgette and Carrot Gratin



I know . . . I'm pretty bold, aren't I!!! Ina Garten is pretty good . . . to think I could pip her, what was I thinking???? 


 Nevermind, I did it, and that's what counts!!



  Courgette and Carrot Gratin 




 I had a few courgettes in the veggie bin and I thought I'd add some carrot to give some colour to the dish.  Courgette is what they call zucchini here in the UK.



 I make a courgette and carrot casserole, which has a tasty stuffing base and topping and they go so very wonderfully together . . . courgettes and carrots, that is.


  Courgette and Carrot Gratin





Ina had used all milk in her sauce, but I added some chicken stock to give the sauce more flavour. You can just use a stock cube or one of those lovely little jel cubes. 


 Be careful not to add too much salt though, as stock cubes can sometimes be a bit on the salty side.

  Courgette and Carrot Gratin 




 A bit of chopped fresh thyme leaves would go wonderfully in this, I am thinking, although it was incredibly tasty as it was! 




  Courgette and Carrot Gratin 




 We ate the leftovers, reheated in the microwave, last night and they were, if anything, even tastier than they had been on the first night. I think this is a winner!


  Courgette and Carrot Gratin 



  *Cougette and Carrot Gratin*
Serves 4 as a side dish

 Tasty courgettes (zucchini) and carrots, baked together in a rich and creamy sauce. 


 3 medium courgettes, washed, trimmed and cut into coins, about 1/4 inch thick 
2 medium carrots, peeled, trimmed and cut into thin coins, about 1/8 inch thick 
2 medium onions, peeled and thinly sliced 
2 heaped TBS butter 
2 heaped TBS flour 
250ml of chicken stock* 
250ml of milk 
salt and black pepper to taste 
2 ounces bread crumbs (about 1 cup)
2 ounces grated Gruyere cheese (1/3 cup)


 Heat the butter over medium high heat until foaming. Add the onions. Turn the heat down to low and cook, without colouring, for about 10 minutes until very soft. 

 Tip in the carrots and courgettes. Cook and stir until the courgettes are beginning to wilt. Sprinkle the flour over all and stir. 

Mix the milk and stock together and then slowly pour this over top, stirring gently and cooking until it thickens. Season to taste with some salt and pepper. 

 Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/Gas mark 6. 

 Butter a shallow gratin dish. Pour the courgette mixture into the gratin dish. 

 Mix together the bread crumbs and the gruyere cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over top of the vegetables. 

 Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbling and lightly browned on top. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes before spooning out to serve. Note - if you use a vegetable stock, it makes a nice Vegetarian entree for two.

13 comments

  1. I've never tried a gratin with carrots but it sounds so delicious. Your photos have my mouth watering. I definitely want to give this recipe a go.

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  2. I often make this sort of thing and whenever I sit one in front of Keith he thinks I've been incredibly clever. Tee-hee...little does he know I usually cribbed the idea. Just like I shall crib this one!

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  3. Looks yummy Marie - I like the idea of carrots and courgettes!

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  4. Embarrassingly I admit, I did not know what a courgette was-- a zucchini!! Now I'm on the same page and this looks delicious.

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  5. We seem to always have zucchini in the house and this looks just delicious! I may just try this tonight!
    xoxo Pattie

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  6. You are a cook hero! very tasty!

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  7. Thank you for another lovely COMFORT food dish that will be great even for my vegetarian girl! I like to give a twist to recipes that I make, too, and I'm sure Ina G doesn't mind ~ she does it, as well! And thank you, again, for letting me publish your last recipe on my blog. Can't wait to see how this UK dish is received! xx P&H

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  8. You can never go wrong with Ina!

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  9. What a god idea, I am sure that various other root vegetables would be lovely in there alongside the carrots.

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  10. Hi Marie
    I love the look of this courgette gratin, i'm the only one like corrgette in my house though, might have to make a smaller one!

    BTW i made you chocolate brownies with turkish delight last night O.M.G they are so delish!!
    Only had one problem, my local Tesco had sold out of Turkins Delight thins so i used a block of turkish delight :-)

    I've printed off the ginger muffins to try next!

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  11. A courgette=zucchini. How about that. I'm thrilled to have another wonderful way to make zucchini as I always have a bumper crop!

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  12. All I'm saying is 'Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm'!

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  13. I made this this evening and it was really good, though I think I should have thickened the sauce a little more and used a little less stock cube for my stock (or better still used fresh stock). Thanks for the recipe! I've just discovered your blog and will be checking it regularly from now on!

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