Winter Vegetable Gratin

From: “Long Nights and Log Fires,” Ryland, Peters & Small 2009.

Serves 6

200 g celeriac, peeled and cut into 3-cm pieces
1 carrot, peeled and cut into rounds
1 parsnip, peeled and cut into semi-circles
1 small swede, peeled and cut into chunks
2 potatoes, cut into 3-cm pieces
250 ml single cream
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 teaspoon mustard powder
50 g fresh rye or brown breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons marjoram leaves
25 g butter, melted
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

A shallow ovenproof dish, buttered

Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas 4).

Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the celeriac, carrot, parsnip, swede, and potatoes. Cook for 10 minutes, drain well, and transfer to a large bowl.

Put the cream, garlic, and mustard powder in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes until the mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon. Season to taste and pour over the vegetables. Spoon the vegetables into the prepared baking dish.

Put the breadcrumbs, parmesan, and marjoram in a bowl and mix to combine. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the vegetables and drizzle melted butter over the top.

Cook in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden and the mixture around the edge of the baking dish has formed a golden crust. Serve warm, not hot, as a vegetarian main dish or as a side dish with any roast meat.