Cheesy Gnocchi and Cauliflower Gratin
Serves 4 to 6
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: Not all comfort food has to take all day to make. This rich gratin is the perfect dinner to warm you through on a cold evening, and it only requires a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking time since we start with store-bought gnocchi. While some gratins call for a cheese topping, we opt for a bread-crumb topping here and employ cheese to help create a sauce. To ensure each component is perfectly cooked, we boil the gnocchi in a pot and prepare the cauliflower and sauce in our skillet. Then we combine the two, top them with bread crumbs (which we make quickly in the food processor), and transfer the gratin to the oven just long enough to brown the crumbs.
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2 |
slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces |
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2 |
tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons melted and cooled |
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Salt and pepper |
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1 |
pound vacuum-packed gnocchi |
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1 |
large head cauliflower (3 pounds), cored and cut into 1-inch florets |
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¾ |
cup heavy cream |
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4 |
teaspoons dry sherry |
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1 |
tablespoon fresh thyme leaves |
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4 |
ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled (1 cup) |
1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Position oven rack 5 inches from heating element and heat broiler. Pulse bread, melted butter, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in food processor to coarse crumbs, about 6 pulses.
2. Add gnocchi and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until tender and floating, about 4 minutes. Drain gnocchi and transfer to plate.
3. Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add cream, sherry, thyme, then Gorgonzola and cook until cheese is melted and sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in gnocchi and simmer until gnocchi is heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Transfer gnocchi and cauliflower to 3-quart broiler-safe baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly on top and broil until bread crumbs are lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve.