Slice This! Recipe: Yukon Gold Potato Gratin (Vegetarian)

As some of you might have noticed, my last two recipes have involved some serious slicing. That is because I finally bought my sexy, new, red mandolin! I've been slicing daily. It's the most fun ever, and if you don't have one, I suggest that you get one. This next recipe is no exception to the ubiquitous slice-o-rama that is my kitchen. Enjoy!

Yukon Gold Potato Gratin - Serves 8 (use 9X9 casserole pan)

2 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes, thinly sliced (1/8 inch should be fine)
3/4 lb Gruyere (you can use other cheeses if you prefer)
1 large red onion, finely diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 TBSp butter
1 cup heavy cream
Sea Salt
Ground Pepper

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Peel and slice potatoes. Place them in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove slices from water and allow them to cool. In the meantime, saute onions and garlic in butter until they are soft and translucent. Lightly oil your casserole pan and place 1/4 of your potato slices in the bottom, season with salt & pepper, sprinkle with 1/4 of your onions & garlic, sprinkle 1/4 cheese, and drizzle 1/8 a cup of your cream over the top. Repeat 3 more times taking care to end with a cheese layer. Then pour the remaining cream evenly into all four corners of the pan. Season with Salt & Pepper one last time and pop the pan into the oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until golden. (Photos to come, I forgot to take some last night before digging in.)

And in other news:

I learned today that Mike Huckabee's top campaign supporters include Tyson foods and Pepsi Co. I can't even begin to tell you what I think of the manner in which both of those companies conduct themselves in the realms of animal cruelty and contributing to the poisoning of this country with high fructose corn syrup.

That being said, 99% of Barack Obama's campaign funds are from individual contributers like Tim & I. Remember that when it comes time to go to the polls, think about the big picture. Think about more than just gay marriage... Think about the reality of the future of this country and who we can trust to lead us in a new direction.

A man with corporate interests at heart, who happens to be a christian or a man who is a christian, but has the people of this country at heart?

Go to this link from USA Today, and see which candidate you agree with most!

Recipe: Zucchini & Pesto Strata (Vegetarian)

Taken from: Quick-Fix Vegetarian by Robin Robertson

Serves 4

1/2 cup basil pesto
1 cup canned white beans (drained & rinsed)
3 TBSP of EVOO
1/2 cup vegetable broth
4 cups shredded or cubed day old bread (I used some french rolls I had)
1 lb of zucchini, trimmed and thinly sliced (We use our NEW Kitchen Aid Mandolin!)
Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper
4 ripe plum tomatoes
1 roasted red bell pepper, chopped (I used the bottled kind, but you can also make your own)
handful of grated parmesan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a food processor, combine pesto, beans, 2 TBSP of EVOO and blend until smooth. Add in veggie broth and process until well blended and set aside.

Spread about 2/3 of the bread in the bottom of a lightly oiled gratin dish or small 8x8 casserole dish. Layer half of the zucchini slices on top, season with salt and pepper. Spoon about half of the pesto sauce onto zucchini and top with half of the tomato slices. Sprinkle the chopped red pepper over the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. top with remaining layer of zucchini slices. Season with salt & pepper and top with the remaining tomato slices. Season with S & P again. Top with the remaining bread and drizzle with 1 TBSP of EVOO.

Cover tightly and bake for 30 minutes (until veggies are tender and bubbly). Then remove lid (or foil) and sprinkle with a handful of parmesan cheese (use soy cheese if you prefer) and bake until top is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

This is a light casserole and makes a great side dish, but is also hearty enough to be a main course. You can also mix it up by adding other vegetables... a layer of asparagus, or perhaps potatoes...

Recipe: Apple & Cucumber Sammy (Vegetarian)

This is one of my favorite snacks...

You'll need:
1 slice of Bread (Organic White or Wheat)
1 TBSP Cream Cheese (I use Low-fat)
1/2 Braeburn Apple, thinly sliced
1/4 English Cucumber, thinly sliced

Toast your bread, and spread a thin layer of cheese. Cut your slice of bread in half. Cover one half of the slice of bread with apple slices, and the other side with cucumber slices. Assemble sandwich. (Eat any leftover apples and cucumbers, cause they're good for you!)