Cauliflower and Potato Gratin (Russ Parsons)

A simple, satisfying vegetarian recipe than can be served as a holiday side dish or a or as a main the rest of the year. Do be sure to cook the cauliflower well to mellow the flavor. And make the white sauce a little thicker than you might think appropriate -- the cauliflower and potatoes will both give off some moisture while they bake. From the Los Angeles Times (December 23, 2009).

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  head cauliflower (1 1/4-pound)
• 1⁄2 lb  small boiling potato
•  salt
• 1  tablespoon vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1  leek, white part only, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 2  tablespoons creme fraiche or 2  tablespoons sour cream
• 3⁄4 cup  grated gruyere cheese (about 1 1/2 ounces) or 3⁄4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, divided (about 1 1/2 ounces)
•  freshly grated nutmeg
• 1⁄4 cup  fresh breadcrumb

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the dried base and green leaves from the cauliflower and discard them. Separate the head into florets about the size of walnuts and chop the stem into similar size pieces. Cut the potatoes into similar-size pieces as well.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high head and salt liberally. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and the cauliflower and potatoes (the vinegar will help keep the cauliflower white). Cook until the cauliflower pieces are tender enough to be easily cut with a spoon, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. While the cauliflower is cooking, make a cheese sauce. In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat and stir in the leeks. Cook until they are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and whisk to make a smooth paste. Add the milk a little at a time, cooking until it thickens. When all the milk has been added, reduce the heat and cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Stir in the crème fraiche and then one-half cup of the Gruyère, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous grating of nutmeg (a little less than one-quarter teaspoon). Whisk until smooth, then taste and add more salt or nutmeg if necessary.
5. Butter a 6-cup gratin dish and spread a thin layer of the sauce evenly over the bottom. Arrange the cooked cauliflower and potatoes in an even layer over the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and spread evenly with the back of a spoon. It should come about three-quarters of the way up the vegetables.
6. Scatter bread crumbs evenly over top and then scatter the remaining one-quarter cup Gruyère over that. Bake until the gratin is bubbling and the top is browned, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve immediately.