Gratins: Tips and Tricks for Delicious Gratins

Gratinating – How to do it right

The French word “gratin” simply means “gratinated”. Whether fish, meat, vegetables, or desserts – everything can be au gratin with the right ingredients.

• In the classic variant for savory dishes, you gratinate with a mixture of breadcrumbs and butter or use grated cheese. If you don’t pay attention to calories, use béchamel sauce or hollandaise sauce.
• Use cheese, choose high-fat and soft varieties that melt well. For example, feta cheese is not suitable for au gratin.
• Desserts, for example, get a caramelized crust from a mixture of beaten egg whites and sugar. In the next chapter, we will introduce you to a gratinated dessert variant with egg yolk.
• Top heat of 200 degrees, preferably 240 degrees, is required for the perfect gratin. Therefore, special devices, so-called salamanders, are used in the professional field. This makes the crust extra crispy.
• It is important that your food is already cooked before you add the gratin layer and bake it. The dish only stays in the oven until it is nicely browned – usually between 5 and 8 minutes.

Dessert: Recipe for pear gratin

For 4 people you need 4 half pears (tinned), 8 egg yolks, 150 g sugar, 200 ml dry white wine and 2 tablespoons flaked almonds.

• Drain the pears before slicing them in a fan shape.
• Toast the almonds in a pan until browned.
• Separate the eggs and in a heatproof bowl, beat the yolks with 2 tablespoons white wine until fluffy.
• Gradually add the sugar. Now the rest of the white wine follows.
• Place the bowl in a warm water bath and beat the mixture for at least 5 minutes until a thick, creamy consistency is formed.
• Preheat the oven to 240 degrees. It is optimal if you use the grill setting. If your oven does not have this setting, select top heat.
• Place the pear halves in 4 ovenproof molds and fill in the whipped cream.
• If you like, sprinkle a little brown sugar on top as well.
• Place the molds in the oven for a few minutes until the surface is golden brown.
• Add the flaked almonds and serve the dessert warm.