Creamy Potato Gratin

This is a classic recipe where the pungent Gruyere acts as a protective layer, preventing the potatoes from drying out. To serve 4, you'll need:

- 1 lb Yukon gold all all-purpose potatoes

- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

- 2 oz Gruyere

- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (I used 1/2 tsp dried thyme)

- 1 tsp salt

- pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 350F. Peel the potatoes and slice paper-thin. Put the potatoes in a 3-quart pot with the heavy cream, salt and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, shred the cheese on the large holes of a box grater.

Hachis Parmentier

This is a French recipe very similar to the moussaka, but with enough differences to make one curious and ready to experiment. So, for 4 persons, you'll need:

Chicken Breasts in Lemon and Sage Sauce

After another week of business travel, I managed to return home intact but sooo tired. And of course, as luck would have it, the fridge was very empty and my little princess wanted something special from "Chef Mommy", as she calls me.

Meat and Potatoes Moussaka

• 1 lb (450 gr) lamb (ground, can be replaced with beef)
• 1/2 lb (200 gr) onions - I used a bunch of scallions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon oregano (dry)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (grounded)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lb tomatoes (peeled and chopped)
• 1 cup (250 ml) lamb stock or beef stock
• 1 1/2 lb potatoes

In a large Dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat, add the minced lamb (or beef) and cook, stirring until browned. Add oregano, cinnamon, salt and pepper. 

Chop the onions, grate the garlic and add them to the browned meat, then allow to cook for several minutes, stirring from time to time.

Potatoes and Smoked Ham Sour Soup

Another recipe that is very traditional to me, comfort food simple to make and completely satisfying.

Ingredients:

- 1 bunch scallions, cleaned and finely chopped

- 1 medium onion, also finely chopped

- 2 medium carrots, cleaned and finely sliced

- about 1/3 lb smoked ham, cubed

- salt and pepper to taste

- tomato juice

- sauerkraut juice (or lemon juice), to taste

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat, then add the carrots, scallions and onion and allow them to sweat for 5-10 minutes.

Roasted Potato Leek Soup

• 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
• 4 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts, cleaned of all sand (4 leeks)
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine, plus extra for serving
• 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock, preferably homemade
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces creme fraiche
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine the potatoes and leeks on a sheet pan in a single layer. Add the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss to coat the vegetables evenly.

Cream of Celery Root and Potatoes Soup - Supa crema de telina si cartofi

Ingrediente:

We need:

 

- 3 cartofi medii - 3 medium potatoes, peeled
- 1 ceapa mare - 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 radacina telina - 1 large celery root
- 2 frunze proaspete de salvie - 2 fresh sage leaves, chopped
- thyme proaspat - 1 fresh thyme sprig
- smantana lichida - 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 litri supe de legume (sau de pui) - 3 quarts vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
- patrunjel - parsley (dried or fresh)
- sare, piper dupa gust - salt and pepper to taste

Tocati ceapa, cartofii, telina

Finely chop the onion, dice the potatoes and celery root