Gratin 7

Here is a recipe for a lovely vegetarian gratin that can easily be adapted to work for meat eaters too.

Ingredients

Gratin 2

4 Tablespoons Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Red Onions Finely Sliced

2 Cloves of Garlic Finely Chopped

2 Teaspoons Oregano

750g Aubergine cut into 1cm Cubes

400g Tin Chopped Tomatoes

2 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

3 Tablespoon Fresh Basil Roughly Chopped

100g Parmesan Cheese Finely grated

300g Courgettes cut into Ribbons

200g Mozzarella Balls

Method

Preheat your oven to 1800

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan & add the onion, garlic & half of the oregano.

Gratin 3

Over a medium heat, slowly sweat the onion & garlic mix for about 5 minutes or until onion is tender & translucent.

Turn up to a high heat, add the rest of the olive oil & aubergine & cook for a further 3-4 minutes or until aubergine is nearly cooked.

Gratin 4

Add the tomatoes & vinegar & simmer for 2 minutes.

Gratin 5

Stir in the basil & half the Parmesan.

Spread half the mix over the bottom of an over proof dish, followed by a layer of the courgette ribbons & then repeat to give layers similar to a lasagne.

Tear the mozzarella & evenly spread over the top of the courgette ribbons.

Gratin 6

Scatter over the remaining Parmesan & then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil & pop into the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown & bubbling.

For a slight variation replace the mozzarella with Gorgonzola & sprinkle with deep fried sage leaves & toasted walnuts.

For the meat eaters add some nice big pieces of an Italian spiced sausage to the mix.

Food in season

Fruit & Nuts
Forced Rhubarb

Vegetables & Herbs

Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Parsnips, Potatoes, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Swede

Meat & Game
Goose, Guinea Fowl, Hare, Mallard, Partridge, Rabbit, Venison, Wood Pigeon

Fish
Brill, Clams, Cockles, Haddock, Halibut, Hake, John Dory, Lemon Sole, Mussels, Oysters, Salmon

Suzanne is a professional chef, wife & mother who has lived in East Dulwich all her life!

www.suzannejames.co.uk

This article first appeared in the February 2016 issue of SE22 magazine.