Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.

Step 2: In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Step 3: Mix together the salt and pepper. Peel the potatoes and thinly slice into rounds.

Step 4: Spread 1/3 of the potatoes in an even layer in the prepared baking dish and season with about 1/4 of the salt mixture. Top with 1/3 of the Gruyère and half of the leeks and season with about 1/3 of the remaining salt mixture. Top with half of the remaining potato slices, half of the remaining Gruyère, and the rest of the leeks, seasoning with half of the remaining salt mixture as you go. Finish with the remaining potatoes and Gruyère and season with the remaining salt mixture.

Step 5: In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium-high heat until it is simmering.

Step 6: Pour the hot cream evenly over the potatoes. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour.

Step 7: Remove the foil and continue baking until the potatoes are tender, coated with a creamy sauce, and golden brown on top, about 30 minutes longer. Let stand for about 5 minutes, then serve hot.

Tip: For the classic all-American version of scalloped potatoes, omit the leeks and substitute sharp white Cheddar cheese for the Gruyère and whole milk for the cream. As you add the potatoes, sprinkle each layer with 1 tbsp all-purpose ?our, for a total of 3 tbsp.

See more recipes from Rick Rodgers.

Reprinted with permission from Rick Rodgers’ Comfort Food (2012 Weldon Owen).