February 9, 2009

Vegetable Gratin, MW Savory Vegetable Pudding, Clicked!



Vegetable Gratin, topped with
savory breadcrumbs, dripping with delicious Bechamel sauce and Parmesan cheese is my contribution to Bee of Jugalbandi's "CLICK-The photo event-Cheese/Tofu" event this month. Thanks Jugs!




Well..I am supposed to say something about the photo I am posting here for the event. All I can say is, Bee threatened me that she would break all North Carolina Panthers' legs so they can never play football (or win the Super Bowl) ever again if I didn't send her a photo for her event. So, a selfless self- sacrificing woman that I am, sending this photo to her event so I can save NC Panthers' many many many pairs of those strong handsome manly legs!!!
Sigh...the things I have to do for my people of NC!! Bee, you win!!! Please spare them their legs......!!!! Waaaah...!!!!

Vegetable Gratin:
Baked mixed vegetable Gratin, topped with Bechamel sauce, savory bread crumbs and sprinkled grated Parmesan cheese.

Gratin

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Gratin with mixed vegetables and Bechamel sauce is my second dish for DK of "Culinary Bazaar"'s event "A.W.E.D.- France" this month. My first entry to her is savory "Pain Perdu", a French toast. Thank you DK, have fun in France!

Mixed vegetable Gratin:
"Gratin is a widely-used culinary technique of food preparation in which an ingredient is topped with a browned crust, often using bread crumbs and butter. Gratins are also frequently sprinkled with grated cheese. Gratin originated in French cuisine and is prepared using a casserole. A gratin is baked or broiled to form a golden crust on top and served in it's oval shaped baking dish.The etymology of gratin is from the French language in which the word "gratter" meaning to "to scrape" as of the "scrapings" of bread or cheese, and gratiné, from the transitive verb form of the word for crust. Gratin dish refers to the shallow oven-proof container used to prepare gratins." Info from WIKIPEDIA.

While making the savory Pudding (see below) for Sunday lunch, I saved half a bag of frozen veggies just to make this Gratin to show you here. Kids loved this dish more than the savory veg and bread pudding! :)

To make Gratin, you need:
1. I used 1/2 a bag frozen mixed veggies; Cauliflower, Broccoli, Water Chestnuts, Endamame, carrots etc. Put all these into a dish with a tsp of butter and pinch of salt and pepper, microwave for 10 mins until cooked or saute in butter until golden.
2. Add these veggies to a bakeable Gratin dish and keep aside.
3. Take about half a cup of garlic Croutons and coarsely powder it, keep aside.
4. Now, pour the prepared Bechamel sauce (recipe below) over the veggies, sprinkle bread crumbs to cover the sauce.
5. Bake at 350F for 15 to 20 mins, since veggies are already cooked, it doesn't take much time to bake or if you use a microwavable Gratin dish, you can microwave this in a jiffy too!
6. Lastly, as soon as you take out the dish out of the oven, sprinkle grated fresh Parmesan cheese on top. If you add cheese and bake in the oven, cheese might burn sometimes and tastes bitter, so I add it at the end. You can bake 5 mins more after you add the Parmesan cheese if you like.
To make BĂ©chamel sauce:
Bechamel is basic white sauce and it becomes "Mornay" sauce if you add cheese to the sauce.
1. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a non-stick pan, add 1 tbsp plain flour, pinch of salt and pepper. Stir for a while or until slightly golden, turn down the heat and add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of half and half or milk, simmer. (Optionally, you add 2 tbsp of Parmesan cheese and whisk well).
2. Keep whisking to avoid the lumps. After few mins, Bechamel sauce thickens slightly. Then, grate 1/8 tsp of fresh Nutmeg pd over it, mix and take the pan off the heat. Pour it on the veggies when it cools a bit and bake the gratin.

Delicious Gratin is ready, it smells so good! :)
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"Cauliflower" is the choice for JFI, which is being hosted by Mythreyee of "Paajaka" blog, an event which is started by Indira of "Mahanandi" blog. My mixed vegetable including Cauliflower, savory Pudding goes to Mythreyee for her event.

Jayasree of "experiments in Kailas kitchen" blog is guest hosting "MEC-Microwaved Puddings" this month. MEC event is originally Srivalli of "cooking for all seasons" idea. I cooked this savory vegetable pudding in the microwave, so this is for you too, Jaya.
Thanks to all of you girls, enjoy! :))


Microwaved mixed vegetable including Cauliflower savory Pudding:
Puddings usually have egg and milk mixture poured into and baked with vegetables and bread pieces. Since both of event entries need to be strictly vegetarian, I have replaced eggs with cornstarch and baked in the microwave.
If eggs are okay with you, add 2-3 eggs to milk along with herbs to get fluffy, spongy pudding. I had baked a sweet Persimmon pudding few weeks ago, so I went for savory pudding this time, can't handle too much sweet again. Hope you like it! :))

Microwaved savory mixed vegetable and bread pudding:
"Pudding most often refers to a dessert, but can also be a savory dish. The word pudding probably comes from the French boudin, originally from the Latin botellus, meaning "small sausage," referring to encased meats used in Medieval European puddings. In the United Kingdom and in some countries, pudding is a common term for any dessert". Info from WIKIPEDIA.

To make the savory pudding: Click on the collage to see the ingredients.
I used 2 1/2 small bags frozen mixed vegetables including Cauliflower, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Endamame, Water chestnuts, peas etc.
10 oz pack of all natural chunky and savory garlic and herb Croutons. You can use bread slices too but ready herbed garlic croutons are better.
For the sauce: take 2-3 cups of milk, (enough to drown the bread and veggies!), 2 tsp Cornstarch, 1 tsp dry herbs, 1/2 tsp Garlic pd, 1/2 tsp onion powder, salt, red chilli flakes and pepper to taste. Mix all these well.
(If adding eggs which is used in making traditional pudding, add 2 eggs and beat this mixture)

To bake or microwave:
1. If you are baking this pudding in the oven, you can saute all the veggies in 1 tbsp butter until halfway cooked and golden.
Since I microwaved it, I added 1 tbsp butter to a dish with frozen vegetables, few pinches of salt, covered and microwaved it for 10-15mins on high or until veggies are fork tender.
2. Drain any water remaining, let the veggies cool a bit. Mix the sauce again and keep it ready.
3. In a microwaveable dish, add half of the Croutons on the bottom, spread all the veggies on top and cover with Croutons again.
4. Slowly pour the liquid sauce on the bread and veggies. Then press the top gently until Croutons are wet and soaked.
If you are baking this, bake at 350F for 30 mins or so, until crust is golden.
5. Now, put this dish in the Microwave, heat this on 100% power for 10 to 20 mins ot until you don't see liquid anymore on the bottom. Cornstarch and soaked bread makes the sauce thick and pudding is scoopbale once it's done.
Do not add too much milk which can overflow in the MW, pause the MW if you see the liquid come up and start again. Serve the pudding while it's warm with a salad.

Enjoy all the yummy vegetable dishes, see you all on Friday here again! :)

71 comments:

Divya Kudua said...

Oh Ashakka...the gratin looks so delicious..one of my fave dishes,I never fail to order in our fave restaurant..I've made corn gratin but this ones just too good..savoury pudding is new to me..for me its always sweet..;-)and yeah..the click is wonderful too!!

Finla said...

Hi hi goodthat you send for clicke, you never know what bee would have done :-)))
I love ratin like this, i tend to do with brocoli as here hans prefer brocoli than cauliflower.
I have no idea how you keep up with all these events, i can never keep up with the event.

FH said...

Hi Divya, good to see you girl! :)
We love Gratin, specially the Bechamel with Parmesan. I don't like sweets too much, so thought I make savory one! :D

Hahaha!! F, me scared of Bee too!!
I need to cook for 4 people everyday anyway, so I just plan around the events if I can. sometimes I have one or two in drafts waiting to be published too, I just post them! I love Broccoli, even kids love them! :)

Pavithra Kodical said...

Ohhhh veggies, cheese i am drooling here...I have never tasted gratin.I love to try this dish..
I like the idea of savory pudding :)

Raaga said...

both the dishes are great :-) although I am eating my dinner as I type :), I'm drooling at the pic ;-)

FH said...

Pavithra, Bechamel sauce with Parmesan cheese has most wonderful taste and aroma. Do try. You can use any veggie you like! :)

Raaga, Gratin was so yum girl. I want more, don't have any left. Trisha loved it since she is a cheese monster! :D

Ashwini said...

Mouthwatering and tempting..Still not had my breakfast..seeing these photos, I am feeling more hungry..love the gratin with veggies..savoury pudding is new but looks fab and click is great..atlast you saved everybody:-))..good deed of the day..

Vibaas said...

oh both my boys love cheese and this looks so so yum. have to try this.

Mythreyee said...

This is definitely a healthy version of Au gratin and I love it. Looks so colorful. Thank you for sending this to JFI.

Cham said...

Ha ha For the sake of NC Panthers, a gooey click! Love savory pudding I never knew that pudding can be savory,me too I cannot tolerate sweeet anymore! Gratin sounds so delicious and perfect Asha. Great entries as usual

FH said...

HeHe! Thanks A, Panthers should pay me for rescuing them!

Vibaas, kids will love the Gratin, make sure you cook the veggies well to avoid the tummy aches later! :D

You are welcome Myth. Gratin will suit your event too, take that as well along with Pudding if you like!:)

Cham, my camera is getting old, so I was thinking not to send my okay pics to CLICK but had to save Panther' legs! :D

Deepthi Shankar said...

Gratin looks soo lovely. I havent made them at home as yet. Loved the savory pudding as well. Very new to me. Thatz a nice click, I never participate in CLICK cuz I never have the patience to click creative photographs.

Laavanya said...

My husband always raves about a veg gratin he had but I've not tried making it.. your version with the bechamel sauce is truly mouthwatering.

Pavani said...

Nice Click Asha.. Yummy recipe too. BTW do you get mixed veggies with edamame in NC or you added them separately? I tried looking for frozen edamame in my supermarket and they dont sell it. Have to go to WH to get some.

FH said...

Deesha, that was my reason too. Looking at all those gorgeous photos, I didn't want mine there! :D
But something is better than nothing. Hope you try Gratin! :)

Laavanya, do try this Gratin! Add Parmesan cheese after the Bechamel sauce is done, you will love it! :)

Smita said...

wow yummy recipes....I have been wanting to try cauliflower gratin but vegetable gratin is even better!!!

bee said...

now i can send the panthers some pink chaddis. will post about that on thursday.

sra said...

Now with a threat like that, who dares not? :-) The gratin looks lovely.

veggie belly said...

Gratins are so great, especially in the winter. I like that you used a veggie mix with water chestnuts and edamame! Have you tried Gruyere? It is my favorite cheese for gratin :)

FH said...

Smita, give it a try. Broccoli tastes great with this Gratin too! :)

Oh Bee, I saw those Pink chaddis somewhere in some blog today! Shiv sena or something like that, their uniform etc. So ridiculous! They are attacking women who go pubs etc in Mangalore!!
Hahaha!! Panthers would look handsomer in those pink chaddis, now that you spared their legs! ;D

Yeah, sra! I couldn't sleep the whole night, had to modify and get a photo for her! :D

FH said...

Hi VB, yes. Sometimes I do add Gruyere but had run out of stock, had only Parmesan this time. It smells so good, doesn't it? Mouthwatering dish! :))

AnuSriram said...

Wow... Thats a wonderful spread! Gratin looks awesome.. Nice click!

Mishmash ! said...

hmm...till i read this post, pudding was always that creamy melt in the mouth delight :) i always learn something new from u!

sunita said...

I wasd thinking about gratin too and here I see...looks yummy...and the picture's lovely too :-)

Uma said...

Ha ha ha, thanks to Bee, a beautiful click came to life :) Gratin looks so good and mouth-watering Asha! Nice idea of savory pudding. Those are some yummmy recipes.

FH said...

Thanks Anu. My Click photos are not that good, but I do my best! :D

Hi shn, so good to see you girl. Yes, usually puddings are sweet but savory pudding are even better. You have to add eggs to make sauce yummy and Pudding spongy. Since this was only vegetarian events, I used just cornstarch. Do try once adding eggs, sounds like Frittatas! :))

FH said...

Sunita, Gratin is the easiest and yummiest to make. Post your's as well! :))

Thanks Uma.
Yeah, Bee can threaten and make me do what I don't want to do easily! ;D

Meera said...

Lovely pictures!! Looks really delicious!!

Raks said...

Asha,
Drool worthy picture for click!!
Savory pudding is new to me and you have my favorite cauliflower in it,love to try!Nice entry for MEC!

FH said...

Thanks Meera, I am making your Crowder peas dish tomorrow! :)

Raks, do try. Cauliflower Gratin is excellent too! :)

amna said...

i was planning to bake a grain for the DK too :) but with different vegetables.. have to get down to it next weekend!

Sunshinemom said...

Don't tempt me, Asha! I used to make this often when "my kids needed to develop taste" days, and stopped when I reached "diet conscious days". I am drooling, and my keyboard is turning into a mess:(

Mojo said...

All the years I spent working in kitchens and I never knew the translation for au gratin. Knew what it meant, just not the translation.

Good thing you got the photo I guess. I think the Panthers can use all the help they can get. Got anything that might perk up a hockey team? The Hurricanes are starting to pick up some steam, but an extra jolt wouldn't hurt 'em any... and the playoffs will be here before you know it!

Unknown said...

ooohhh perfect click iam drooling over the pic very tempting

jayasree said...

Ashakka, both gratin and pudding looks delicious.Lovely click.

Thanks for sending it to MEC and making it eggless.

Purnima said...

Wow..everything looks so yum!I used to add the sauce to my cooked pasta few years back..until now never knew the name, Bechamel nor Mornay!I too had baked the sauteed veggies, added this sauce + moz cheese..but my family at it after it cooled so the flavor died off! Addition of crumbs is a wonderful idea! Shall try this..sav.pud. new to me...Asha..every post is a trainee post for me!!

Jayashree said...

Savoury pudding??? This is the first one I've come across. The gratin looks delish.

FH said...

Nags, post it too, more the merrier! :)

Haha! H, kids love these, don't they? Yeah, flour and butter glop is not good for our waistline in long term.

Mojo, WIKIPEDIA is like God to me!
Yeah, Hockey team needs a boost too, will send Bee to threaten them as well! :D

FH said...

Thanks Rekha, did my best! :)

You are welcome, Jaya. Glad you liked it, Enjoy! :))

Purni, have tried Alfredo sauce on Pasta? I love it and posted here before. Search here. Yes, all these tastes best when it's warm,once cooled, cheese clumps up! :)

Jaya, try the savory pudding, you will love it. They taste better with egg mixture rather than cornstarch though.

Margie said...

Asha
Because of all your wonderful recipes I am trying many new things.
My hubby loves it!

Thank you so much!

Margie:)

Suganya said...

Perfect recipes. Looks so good. One good way to eat all the vegetables. Nice pictures.... YUM!

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

oh the click is wonderful! never had gratin before.. but sounds good..

Preety said...

i love both dishes and is easy to make also..the sauce the parmesean over anything works for me everytime..

FH said...

You are welcome Margie. I am sure you have fab recipes of your own. I try my best to cook something! I appreciate your comment as always! :))

Whole 2 packs of veggies Sukanya, overload for one day, may be! ;D

Do try Mahimaa, Gratin is easy and very tasty! :)

Parmesan makes everything smell so good, isn't it? i love it too! :)

Uj said...

he he he... I guess you would love to make such a sacrifice ;)
You are putting that microwave to good use.. Both the dishes look so impressive.. I am making your dal maharani for dinner tonight :D
I have never tasted Vegetable gratin nor savory pudding.. You are tempting me to try them. Nice click :D

Jaishree Iyer said...

Both the dishes are great :-) Gratin looks Mouthwatering and tempting. i love both dishes and is easy to make also.I am going to try this recepie.. Every time iam learning some thing new from your blog.Thanks for sharing dear:)

UjjU said...

Thanks Asha. Who is hosting the Orange event?

FH said...

Thanks Uj. I am scared of Bee!!;D
Enjoy Dal Maharani.

You are very welcome Jaishree. It's fun to try new dishes for me, most of time it works and few times. they don't!! :))

Ujju, I will let you know! :)

Andhra Flavors said...

Hi Asha,I have never tasted Gratin.
I am drooling.....

Adlak's tiny world said...

awesome click on tasty dish.... gratin looks so delish Asha...

Purnima said...

Asha..am here to say I found Asiago cheese in a 3 cheese pack- Parmesan+Asiago+?? grated mix..frm US exhorbitantly priced for half a pound weight! :D U must hv by now got ur wet grinder..SUMEET must b happy to hv a frnd to take over his burden! :D Especially URAD..my frnd here has this grinder n the fermentation takes place soon + more fluffy output! :) Wd make Gratin one of these days..enjoying the Orangey Sandstorm that hit yesterday here!Ofcourse frm inside!
Its sand sand everyyyyyyywheree!

Mona said...

O Dear... Its torture watching your blog just now because it is making me SOOOOOOO Hungry!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Asha, Very Nice click :) I am sure Bee is satisfied :) I have nevere tried Gratin, I always love savoury versions of Gratin. I have some recently purchased hominy grits which I want to use for some nice dish. I tried using it in place of rice, but didnt work very well. Maybe I will try this gratin recipe :) Thanks for sharing !

FH said...

AF and Adlak, thanks girls. You must try the Gratin, it's so tasty! :))

Daily Meals said...

Beautiful click! Both the dishes look delicious...

Srivalli said...

Asha..I dont know how you make them...but everything looks so delicious!..hats off to you..I am drooling really!

FH said...

Purni, that 3 cheese thing will do fine, use whatever you can get, tastes great! :)
Wet grinder, yeah, I used it today and cursing myself why did I wait all these yrs! Batter is so fluffy, joy to look at.I will post it all here next week! Still need Sumeet for other things though, to make pd etc. Wet grinder came with kneader too, will use tomorrow.Only thing is I should have bought the smaller 1.2L grinder, this is bit big for us, when kids move out, just two of us! :D
Orangy sandstorm? Yikes! Hey, take a photo and send it to Orange event! :))

FH said...

Haha! Mona, that cheese sauce is really yummy, smells so good too! :)

Roopa, I don't know any Hominy recipe but do try Gratin with it and veggies. Might work! :)

Thanks Vijaya, had to send one for Bee! :D

Haha! Sri, you can use any cheese girl, cheddar or Amul may be, use it in the sauce! Kids will love it! :)

Unknown said...

Hi,
The recipe sound great. You should post them on Samukam.com social network in the Tamil recipe/food section.
Best,
Thiru

suvi said...

asha, your gratin is looking absolutely delicious!

Purnima said...

Hee..I read that..Orange event they will have mouth full of sand! :D No kitchen tool is too big for you, Asha..even if it is Two of you later, its gonna b huge lot u will make! Hey was here frm some blog..saw ur comment reg.Sunitas lemon-coco. cake..i baked it yest..its tooo good..fluffy n tasty..kids n family, neighbours were all praises for it! It was minus coconut, as i forgot,normal sugar-yet not tooo sweet..n the lower rack baking 180 C/18 mins..12" x 5" it was done..not needed the middle rack baking at alll..golden color n topping wt chopped pista lent a lovely contrast..am going to make ur gratin now. :D hv a gr8 weekend!

Chibog in Chief said...

you made me drool!!! all these vegetable recipes are truly savory!! great entry for click!!

FH said...

Hi Tony, thank you for the info about Tamil food section. I would like to keep my blog recipes in my blogs, don't want too much exposure really! :)

Thanks A, Gratin is always our fave dish to male! :)

Purni, I made Idlies in that Ultra. OMG!! Even kids were saying they were good, usually they don't like idlies or dosas. I am glad I bought it!:)
Oh, that lemon and coconut sounds so good, I will make it. Thanks for the tips! I probably spend half the weekend cooking for Haryana! :P

Purnima said...

Asha..the gratin was quite filling..the tip of loosely placing foil to avoid burnt surface worked here..20mins - 15 mins wt foil, last 5 mins took off the foil had a lovely golden top..added cheese after complete bake-time. Thankyou for sharing..so happy to hear abt the new grinder! Kids r the ones whose tummies v try hard to please, isn't it? :D Haryana dishes..ooh i m already drooling!

FH said...

Thanks D, kids fave too, right? :)

Purni, great tip. I do that for pies always. This time I had already cooked the veggies in the MW, so just melted the cheese sauce and got some color on top. Haryana, sigh...I haven't even started yet!:)

DK said...

jeez jeez everywhere! The world is suddenly such a 'cheesy' place to live in..hehehe I used up my ricotta and parmesan to make fritters in my blog too....Nothing like cheeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Now I am going to drool at your goey post and get a golden ring on my head - angelic u know! :)

Thanks for making AWED France eztra special with this
hugs

FH said...

Hi DK, good to see you at last! :D

Yeah, I try not to use too much cheese too but gotta sometimes. Did you see my ULTRA Grind and Pride? I went crazy and bought both of them! HeHe!

Recipeswap said...

Such a good way of getting a full serving of veggies......I have to try the gratin for my 'lill vegetable hater'.dont know if she will like it but I know just by looking that I can finish it.

FH said...

Neema, savory croutons are almost eating yummy bread when soaked, so your lil one might like it. Also you can add your fave masala too to make it tastier! :)

Dibs said...

Just saw this in Jayasree's MEC pudding round up!! Wah! Never thought of au gratin, as a savory pudding :-))) It looks very delicious - I usually make this, but adding garlic croutons on a top is brilliant touch!

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