Tartiflette

Tartiflette, is the kind of food that stole my heart right from the get-go. In 2021, Paris, Christmas vibes, freezing temps, and my cozy food radar going bonkers. So, there I am, at the Christmas market in Les Jardins de Tuileries! While my husband and daughter are out there braving the cold, playing without their gloves at the Carnival Balloon Shoot, I’m on a culinary adventure! From one food booth to another, I’m on a mission to try every Alpine dish out there: raclette, fondue, tartiflette, poêlée montagnarde, -you name it.

But let me tell you, the one that stole the show for me was tartiflette. While the fam’s freezing their fingers off, I’m warming up my insides with this magical creation. It’s the kind of recipe with just four ingredients that I adore, especially when I’m not in the mood for a marathon cooking session.

This gem hails from the Savoie department in the French Alps. The name? Well, “tartifle” in Savoyard dialect means “potato”. Picture this: potatoes, cheese, onions, and bacon all coming together in a dance of flavors. The VIP of the dish? Reblochon cheese, but since I couldn’t get my hands on it today, I went for Coulommiers, another soft-ripened French cheese.

This delicious recipe is a perfect winter dinner. So, if you’re on the lookout for a meal that’ll hug your soul, tartiflette’s the answer. Cheers to simple joys and cozy eats!

Ingredients

  • 750g potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 2 sprigs of thyme (optional)
  • 200g smoked bacon lardons
  • 20g butter
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • ½ cup white wine (optional)
  • 150ml crème fraîche
  • 240g Reblochon, rind and all, sliced

Preparation

  1. Heat the oven to 180°C. Bring a pan of salted water to a boil, add the potatoes and thyme, and cook for 6 minutes until just tender. Discard the thyme leaves and drain.
  2. Turn a skillet to medium heat and cook the bacon pieces until they reach your desired doneness (5 to 8 minutes). Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat and fry the onion for 5 minutes. Return the bacon to the pan with the wine and cook until the onions are golden.
  4. Lightly butter an oven dish. Cover the base with the potatoes, then spoon over the onion mixture and the crème fraiche. Mix gently and top it with cheese. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until bubbling and deeply golden. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, then serve.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin

Dad can combine any 3 vegetables to his delicious béchamel sauce and make a palatable gratin. The secret for a delightful gratin is fresh vegetables. Try always to choose fresh ingredients over frozen and use rich cheese on the top.

Before long kitchen became my place to unwind, I once bought a cooking book on vegetables and sampled few recipes. I fondly remember Serge eating my first gratin made with cauliflower and carrots! Gratifying!

Gratin is easy to make and my daughters Kaia and Axel love it. Fortunately, a way to make them eat their veggies;-)

Broccoli and cauliflower gratin

Ingredients

  • 250g (8oz) broccoli
  • 250g (8oz) cauliflower
  • 30g (1oz) butter
  • 30g (1oz) flour
  • 500ml milk (full fat or skimmed milk)
  • 50g (2oz) Gruyère, grated
  • 50g (2oz) Cheddar, grated
  • Parmesan, to taste
  • Salt and pepper
  • Pinch of grated nutmeg

Directions

1. Steam the broccoli and cauliflower until just tender.

2. To make the white sauce, melt the butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a smooth paste. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Season it with salt, pepper and nutmeg. When the mixture begins to bubble and thicken, remove from heat.

3. Now coat an oven dish with a thin layer of the white sauce then arrange the vegetables in an oven dish and sprinkle with salt and parmesan cheese.

4. Top with the rest of the white sauce and cheeses. Bake at 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4) for 30mn.