Pumpkin and Potato Gratin ~ Bella Cucina ~ Artful Food
Nov 10, 2010 at 2:01 
It begins again. Darkness appears covering the day's crisp baby blue sky earlier than most of us would like. There has been a change in the time. Winds whirl around our homes tossing leaves around and around on the ground causing them to twist and turn. There is a chill in the air. The dates on the calendar cause us to pause and question where time has gone. Fall has arrived, which means its friend Winter can't be far behind.
At this time of year many of us are considering what we'll be serving our family and friends for those special holiday gatherings that are heading toward us much like a runaway train. In fact this year Hubby and I find our calendar showing not one but TWO Thanksgiving dinners to plan! Our first dinner is to happen a week or so before Thanksgiving. Easily enough it started out as a simple request from our son in-law, Ant. A casual request to gather as a family before we all head out, down different roads to join extended family.
It's the "alternate" year, when Oldest, Ant, and Peanut head off to be with Ant's parents, while Youngest, Hubby and I will join my parents and some cousins.
Our "first" dinner, the casual request, has turned into a full-blown, tribe-filled Thanksgiving dinner, with our children, grand-child, a brother, mother in-law and more - oh my! But this dinner menu will have a few twists and turns, much like the leaves being tossed around outside. We've decided our meal will be based in "tradition" but with a fresh take on the "usual" faire.
Recently I discovered a beautiful little food company on-line. Bella Cucina. Be sure to go take a peek because Bella Cucina has "Artful Food". The company motto is "Simplicity is a luxury. Passion is a choice. Good food is sacred." I dare you not to seek them out after reading THAT!
One of the recipes we're planning for our "first dinner" is a Pumpkin Potato Gratin which includes a Sweet Pumpkin Pesto from Bella Cucina. Until now I'd not made a gratin from scratch. I had to give it a try. I'll warn you though. This recipe is a rich, creamy, luxurious gratin! Ideal for a holiday menu. Enjoy!
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Pumpkin and Potato Gratin
Bella Cucina
What you'll need:
4 Large Yukon Gold Potatoes
1 Jar (6 oz) Bella Cucina Pumpkin Pesto (Sweet or Savory)
1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
Salt and Pepper to taste
What You'll Do:
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
Butter the bottom and sides of a large baking dish or casserole dish until well coated
(I used a 2 Qt baking dish)
Slice the potatoes into 1/8 inch rounds
(no need to peel the potato if using Yukon Golds - simply clean and dry well)
Place half the slices of the potato in a single, slightly overlapping layer to cover the bottom of the dish.
Lightly salt and pepper the layer.
Spoon the pumpkin pesto over the potato layer, using the spatula to spread out the pesto so each bite will have a taste of pumpkin.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. (The cheese can be salty, depending on which kind you use, so be careful with how much salt you add.)
Add the rest of the potatoes. Sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan cheese. Pour the whipping cream over the potato mixture evenly, so that the potatoes are just coated.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 55 minutes (I used all 55 minutes), or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
If the gratin starts to get too dark while cooking, cover with a piece of foil for the last 15 minutes of cooking. (I did place a foil cover over the dish the last 15 minutes).
Serves six to eight.
Next time I plan to add a little powdered garlic, some dried Thyme, and about a 1/4 chopped onion.
Reader Comments (4)
There are POTATOES in this recipe with PUMPKIN . . . that sound? That's me hitting the floor in Indiana - this is to. die. for!!! I LOVE the Bella Cucina line - was fortunate enough to meet her in Atlanta and she is absolutely FABULOUS!!!
Looks delicious !
That looks like one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes I've seen ever!
Debra, Jessie and Pam....this recipe really is scrumptious! The Pumpkin Pesto from Bella Cucina is devine!