Apple, Leek, and Sweet Potato Gratin

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             FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Jeanne Marie MacKenzie for this classic food funny:

A customer walks into a restaurant and sees a sign on the wall that
says" $500 IF WE FAIL TO FILL YOUR ORDER." When a waitress comes to his
table, he orders elephant ears on rye. The waitress goes into the
kitchen and a few minutes later, the angry restaurant owner comes out,
lays five one-hundred-dollar bills on the customer's table and says,
"You got me this time, buddy, but it's the first time we ever ran out of rye bread."

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             TODAY'S RECIPE
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Here's a savory and sophisticated alternative to the candied and
marshmallow-covered sweet potatoes some of us have outgrown.

Apple, Leek, and Sweet Potato Gratin

1 1/4 cups (310 ml) heavy cream
2 large leeks, washed and thinly sliced
2 Tbs (30 ml) chopped fresh thyme, or 2 tsp (10 ml) dried
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
A grating of fresh nutmeg
2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 lb, 450 g), peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups (500 ml) grated cheddar cheese
1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced

Combine the cream, leeks, thyme, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a saucepan
and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally. Add the
sweet potatoes and simmer covered 10 minutes. Layer half the sweet
potato mixture in a buttered baking dish. Top with the sliced apple.
Repeat with sweet potato mixture and cheese. Bake uncovered in a
preheated 375F (190C) oven for about 45 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown.
Serves 6 to 8.
Received on Tue Dec 16 18:24:21 2008