Potato and Celery Root Gratin

This cozy, cheesy dish comes together quickly and is very adaptable. If you can't find celery root (celeriac), use an equal amount of another vegetable such as sweet potatoes, rutabaga, or sliced butternut squash. Paired with a simple salad, this gratin makes a terrific vegetarian main course.

Ingredients:

Unsalted butter for baking dish

1 tsp. kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/16 inch thick

1 pound celery root, peeled and sliced 1/16 inch thick

5 oz. grated cheese such as Gruyère or a sharp white cheddar

2 cups heavy cream or whole milk

2 tsp. chopped fresh chives or flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Ingredients:

Unsalted butter for baking dish

1 tsp. kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/16 inch thick

1 pound celery root, peeled and sliced 1/16 inch thick

5 oz. grated cheese such as Gruyère or a sharp white cheddar

2 cups heavy cream or whole milk

2 tsp. chopped fresh chives or flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 400°F. Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish.

Layer 1/2 of potatoes in the baking dish, season with 1/3 of the salt and pepper to taste, and top with 1/3 of the grated cheese.

Next, create another layer using all the sliced celery root. Season with 1/3 of the salt and pepper to taste and top with another 1/3 of the cheese.

Do a final layer, using the remaining potatoes. Season with remaining salt, pepper to taste, and remaining cheese.

Pour the cream or milk over the gratin, cover tightly with foil, and bake for one hour.

After one hour, check gratin piercing vegetables with a fork. If they are tender, remove foil, and bake another 15 minutes until golden. If the vegetables are not yet tender, cover with foil and cook another 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Depending on the age and moisture of your vegetables, you have to repeat this cycle a few times. Once tender, remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until golden.

Let stand for 10 minutes, garnish with optional chives or parsley, and enjoy!