Vegan Potato Dauphinoise Gratin (GF) - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between potato gratin and dauphinoise? ›

Potatoes au gratin are slices of pre-cooked (usually boiled) potato cooked in cream and topped with cheese which makes the gratin. Gratin Dauphinoise, on the other hand, is a dish made of thinly-sliced (not pre-cooked) potatoes that cook in cream. Dauphinoise traditionally does not contain any cheese.

They appear to share French origins; potato gratin is the Americanization of the French potatoes au gratin, and in American English gratin de pommes de terre Dauphinoise has become dauphinoise potatoes. Scalloped potatoes generally do not have cheese, whereas potato gratin and dauphinoise potatoes do.

The curdling is caused by high heat, which is hard to avoid in an oven. So to keep the sauce together, tackle it before the dish goes in the oven. Instead of simply layering grated cheese and milk or cream with the potatoes, you need to make a smooth cheese sauce.

Fortunately, you can still make a delicious gratin dauphinoise without cream. Substitute fat-free or non-dairy milk, a small amount of light butter, and plenty of herbs and spices so you wind up with a tasty dish that you don't have to feel guilty about eating.

They may sound like the same thing, but in fact, they are quite different. Put simply, potatoes dauphine (pronounced "do-FEEN") are deep-fried potato puffs while potatoes dauphinoise ("do-fin-WAHZ") means baked scalloped potatoes.

Lift off the foil and sprinkle the cheese, if using, over the top – though it's not very French, you could substitute the gruyere for parmesan (in which case, use a little less) or even a mild cheddar, if you prefer.

1. The right potatoes. We tried lots of types of readily available potatoes and the two that performed the best for cream absorption while still getting an edge that stays crisp were Maris Piper and Desirée (red-skinned) potatoes.

I don't recommend soaking the potatoes in water ahead of time for our potatoes au gratin (as some recipes call for). Soaking them will cause them to lose some of their starch, which helps to keep this dish creamy. The dish will still get a nice, crisp top without soaking the potatoes.

Our serving suggestion For an easy mid-week supper, serve alongside creamy potato dauphinoise and steamed tenderstem broccoli. Make this even more indulgent by topping your dauphinoise potatoes with diced smoked pancetta and grated Grana Padano cheese before baking in the oven until golden brown and bubbling.

Avocado is a great substitute and has a very similar texture to cream cheese. Sprinkle with a little nutritional yeast, black salt, and lemon juice to create an incredibly delicious and creamy spread.

What is the US equivalent to double cream? ›

The British use double cream in recipes the way we use heavy cream or whipping cream here in the US, but they also allow it to accompany dessert the way we might use ice cream.

The name "Dauphinoise" refers to the Dauphiné region in southeastern France, where this dish is believed to have originated. However, the exact origins of Potatoes Dauphinoise are a bit murky. Some believe it was named after the Dauphin (the eldest son of the king of France) due to its regal taste and texture.

Potatoes dauphinoise is made with thicker slices of potatoes arranged in a shallower baking dish and has a larger proportion of liquid to the potatoes. Potato pavé uses very thin slices of potato and layers them in a precise manner in a loaf pan so the dish is taller and the slices almost melt into one another.

The phrase au gratin literally means "by grating" in French, or "with a crust," from the verb gratter, "to scrape, scratch, or grate." Definitions of au gratin. adjective. cooked while covered with browned breadcrumbs (and sometimes cheese)