Maltese Olive Oil Gratin
Ingredients
Directions
Ingredients
2 lb
russet potatoes (about four large)
1
large white onion
2 tbsp
minced fresh rosemary
1 c
extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
Maltese Olive Oil Gratin
This version of scalloped potatoes gratin from Malta has a generous amount of olive oil but doesn’t taste too rich. As you serve these potatoes, the excess olive oil will pool in the pan, and you should let it drain slightly while scooping. Feel free to change up the aromatics, for example, using oregano and lemon juice instead of rosemary, or don’t add any herbs at all, as dictated by the original recipe. Leftovers are delicious eaten cold, though you could easily turn them into a Spanish tortilla or a hash as well.
6-8 servings
- Peel potatoes and slice on a mandoline to 4.5mm or 3/16 of an inch, just a little thicker than the width of a nickel. Set aside and peel. Slice the onion in half, and then slice each half on the mandoline on a slightly thinner setting. It's okay if the onion slices don't maintain their shape.
- Layer the onion and potato, starting with a layer of onion, in a 2-quart ovenproof dish, sprinkling each layer with salt, pepper, and rosemary, if using, followed by a generous coating of olive oil. Overlap the slices of potato on each other by a third so that they are evenly shingled.
- When you get to the final layer of potato, press down on the gratin to tightly fit everything into the dish, and gently add ¾ cup of boiling water.
- Bake uncovered at 400°F for an hour, or until the potatoes are completely tender in the center and the top has started to brown. Turn the heat up to 500°F for another 5-10 minutes until the gratin has crisped up to your liking.
- Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving-it will firm as it rests.
Tammie Teclemariam
Tammie Teclemariam is a food and drinks writer and wine professional. Her work appears in Wine Enthusiast, Thrillist, and Eater. She lives in Brooklyn where she shares one fridge with 5 roommates.