What makes a dish a gratin
Mia Morrison
Published Apr 08, 2026
A gratin is a dish that is topped with cheese, or bread crumbs mixed with bits of butter, then heated in the oven or under the grill until brown and crisp. The terms au gratin or gratinée refer to any dish prepared in such a manner.
What is a shallow gratin dish?
A gratin is always baked and/or broiled in a shallow dish. The topping is traditionally cheese or breadcrumbs, and they should get crispy under the broiler. “Gratin” is derived from the French verb gratiner—to broil. Gratter (to scratch or scrape) is a close verb, and definitely suggestive of a gratin’s crispy crust.
What is the difference between dauphinoise and gratin?
Potatoes au gratin are slices of pre-cooked (usually boiled) potato cooked in cream and topped with cheese which makes the gratin. Gratin Dauphinoise, on the other hand, is a dish made of thinly-sliced (not pre-cooked) potatoes that cook in cream. Dauphinoise traditionally does not contain any cheese.
How deep is a gratin dish?
The vessel best suited for most au gratin dishes is, simply enough, an au gratin pan. It can be round, oval or rectangular, and most commonly it is about an inch and a half deep.What size is a casserole dish?
My thoughts: The 9×13-inch rectangular casserole pan is by far the most called-for dish in casserole cookery, followed closely by the 8×8 (or 9×9) square dishes.
Can I put a casserole dish on the hob?
Casseroles are a versatile piece of kit – they can be used to make soups, stews, pot roasts, sauces – the list goes on. … A casserole that is suitable for hob and oven and is attractive enough for serving at the table maximises practicality and minimises washing-up.
Can I use Pyrex on the hob?
Pyrex glass bakeware can be used in used for cooking, baking, reheating food in preheated ovens. … Pyrex bakeware cannot be used or placed on a hot stovetop. Pyrex cookware is stovetop safe.
Why did my potato gratin curdle?
The curdling is caused by high heat, which is hard to avoid in an oven. So to keep the sauce together, tackle it before the dish goes in the oven. Instead of simply layering grated cheese and milk or cream with the potatoes, you need to make a smooth cheese sauce.Are scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes the same?
Though scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin have many similarities, there are a few traits that differentiate them. Au gratin potatoes are sliced thinner. The layers in scalloped potato dishes tend to be slightly thicker than those used in potatoes au gratin.
What size is a 4 quart casserole dish?4-quart dish (16 cups) – 14″ x 10″ x 2″ (oblong)
Article first time published onWhat size is a 5 quart casserole dish?
5 Quart – Oblong Clear Glass Baking Dish – 11″ x 15″
What sizes are baking dishes?
- Rectangular baking dish. The most common size is 9 by 13 inches. …
- Square cake pan. Typically 8- or 9-inch squares, although I think the larger size is more versatile (and yet I own both, oh, and a 7-inch too). …
- A loaf pan. …
- Round cake pan. …
- Pie plate. …
- More from Voraciously:
What type of cookware is best for glass top stoves?
Stainless steel is one of the best materials to use on glass top stoves because it’s durable, nonreactive, and smooth. Plus, it’s conveniently dishwasher-safe. Steel pans with aluminum or copper cores, sometimes called tri-ply, are worth the investment for improved heat conductivity and even heat distribution.
Can you boil water in a Pyrex measuring cup?
A Pyrex measuring cup can handle a temperature difference of about 100 degrees. If you do not do the heat exchange directly, the cup will handle it. Boiling water into the cup, decant it and within about 30 seconds you will be able to handle the cup without it burning you.
Can I use Pyrex as a double boiler?
All you need to make a double boiler is a mixing bowl (preferably glass/pyrex or metal) and a saucepan that the bowl will fit on top of. The two should fit tightly together; you don’t want a gap between the bowl and the saucepan, nor do you want a bowl that sits precariously on a tiny saucepan.
How do you measure a casserole dish?
When measuring the dimensions of baking pans and baking dishes, measure the distance across the top from the inside rim on one side to the inside rim on the opposite side. Depth should be determined by standing a ruler in the pan or dish and measuring the distance to the rim.
Does a casserole dish need a lid?
Recipes should tell you whether to bake a casserole covered or uncovered, but many don’t. … If a casserole looks soupy when it’s ready to bake, you probably should bake it uncovered unless the ingredients include pasta or rice, which absorb liquid.
Are Le Creuset pans worth it?
There’s no question; Le Creuset makes fabulous Dutch ovens, but premium cookware comes with a premium price tag. So, is Le Creuset worth it? The short answer is yes. Le Creuset is worth it because it’s more durable, beautiful, and performs better than the competition.
What is Veg Au Gratin?
vegetable au gratin is a traditional continental delicacy served with warm and crisp breads. Indian style veg au gratin features all your favourite veggies drowned in white sauce, topped generously with cheese, and baked till the cheese melts.
What do you eat with gratin?
- Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin.
- Garlic Roasted Pork Chops.
- Roasted Chicken.
- Honey Mustard Chicken.
- Roast Beef.
- Pan-Roasted Steak.
What's the difference between potato bake and potato gratin?
Most recipes call for the potatoes to be baked in a basic cream sauce (usually a mix of milk and heavy cream), and that’s it. Potatoes au gratin are a bit more decadent. They are made with lots of cheese sprinkled in between the layers of potatoes and also on top of the casserole.
What does au gratin mean in French?
When you cook a dish au gratin, you sprinkle it with breadcrumbs and brown the top in a hot oven. … The phrase au gratin literally means “by grating” in French, or “with a crust,” from the verb gratter, “to scrape, scratch, or grate.”
When were au gratin potatoes invented?
Many believe that au gratin potatoes originated in France, and are based on a dish known as gratin Dauphinois after the Dauphine region of France. Au gratin potato recipes in United States (US) cookbooks date back to at least 1894, and many US recipes refer to this dish as scalloped potatoes.
What is macaroni au gratin?
This macaroni au gratin is no ordinary macaroni and cheese. … It’s still pasta in cheese sauce but blanketed with a layer of ooey, gooey blend of three cheeses. Easy and on the table in less than an hour.
How do you fix runny au gratin potatoes?
How To Make quick fix for soupy scalloped potatoes! Got soupy scalloped or Au Grating potatoes add some instant potato mix and stir in. Doesn’t change the taste of the dish and no lumps. Add just enough to use as a thickening agent.
Why is my dauphinoise watery?
If it reads too low that would do it. Try using russets. Some potatoes, like Yukon Gold, have more water in them. Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken.
Why is my potato gratin watery?
My sauce is watery If you stored your potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, be sure to drain them well and pat them dry before adding to your casserole. Some of the waxier potatoes can release more water than starchier ones, so look for good baking potatoes like russet or Yukon golds.
Is a 9x13 dish 4 quarts?
How Many Quarts Are in a 9×13 Pan? Assuming the 9 by 13 inch pan has sides about 2 inches high, it can hold a volume of 14 to 15 cups. Since there are 4 cups in 1 quart, the pan holds between 3 1/2 and 3 3/4 quarts.
What size baking dish is quart?
Pan SwappingPan SizeEquivalent Pans and Casseroles*1 Quart casserole8 x 6 x 1½-inch baking dish1-1/2-quart casserole9″x5″x3″ loaf pan8 x 8 x 1½-inch baking dish2 quart casserole8″ square pan9 x 9 x 1½-inch baking dish OR 12 x 7 1/2 x 2 inch
What are the dimensions of a 4 quart?
Overall Dimensions: Top Diameter:10 1/2″ Height:3 1/2″ Capacity:4 qt.
What size is a 2 quart casserole dish?
The typical two-quart casserole dish is 8 inches wide by 8 inches long and 2 inches deep. These dimensions hold the exact two-quart volume needed for many casserole recipes. A rectangular casserole dish that is 11.1 inches long by 7.1 inches wide by 1.7 inches high also holds two quarts.