Asiago, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

D made this. It was pretty good. It needed some more salt. D said he followed the directions on salting, so he'll do it his own way next time. D said it was easy to make. Due to some technical difficulty at the grocery store, Asiago was not purchased so Italian 5-blend and Parmesan were used.

We had with Marinated Chicken Legs.

Asiago, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

Maybe more so than other foods, potatoes need salt. Instead of salting the water they boil in, sprinkle the potatoes with salt after draining. Then salt the white sauce separately for the most pronounced flavor.

Yield: 6 servings

1 1/2 pounds peeled Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 teaspoon salt, divided
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated Asiago cheese (used Parmesan)
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese (used Italian 5-Blend)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender. Drain. Sprinkle potatoes evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside and keep warm.

Heat a medium saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add shallots; cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Sprinkle flour over shallots. Gradually add 1/2 cup milk, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Gradually add remaining 1 1/2 cups milk, stirring with a whisk. Cook over medium heat 9 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt, Asiago (used Parmesan), chives, pepper, and bacon.

Arrange half of potato slices in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour half of cheese sauce over potato slices. Top with remaining potato slices and cheese sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan (used Italian 5-Blend). Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

CALORIES 250 (30% from fat); FAT 8.2g (sat 4.6g,mono 2.7g,poly 0.5g); IRON 0.9mg; CHOLESTEROL 23mg; CALCIUM 306mg; CARBOHYDRATE 31.9g; SODIUM 618mg; PROTEIN 12.3g; FIBER 2.3g

Cooking Light, APRIL 2004