Sweet Potato & Leek Creamy Gratin

This sweet potato and leek gratin is a showstopper side dish, perfect for dinner or a dinner party. With creamy sauce, caramelised leeks, and perfectly tender sweet potatoes, it's the ultimate comfort food with minimal effort. The mandoline is a great tool here for getting those thin slices, making it super easy to prepare!

Serves: 4 (as a side)

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins | Total Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

For the Gratin:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, thinly sliced using a mandoline

• 1 medium leek, roughly chopped into 1cm circles

• 6 garlic cloves, diced

• A handful of fresh sage and rosemary leaves, roughly chopped

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 15g butter, diced

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 100ml whole milk

• 280ml double cream

• 50g cheddar cheese or Grana Padano

• A few gratings of nutmeg

• Pinch of salt and pepper

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan) and grease a 26cm by 21cm rectangle baking tray.

2. In a large frying pan set to medium-high heat, add 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the garlic and herbs. Simmer gently for about 2 minutes to crisp up the garlic and release the flavours.

3. Layer the sweet potato slices neatly in the baking tray. Pour the garlic and herb mixture over the sweet potatoes, tucking it between the layers.

4. Evenly scatter the chopped leeks among the sweet potatoes. Season well with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. In the same frying pan, add the cream, milk, cheese, and nutmeg. Stir to combine and gently heat until the cheese has melted.

2. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Assemble the Gratin

1. Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the sweet potatoes and leeks. Scatter the diced butter on top for extra richness.

2. Place the tray in the middle of the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 4: Serve

1. Serve the gratin hot as a comforting side dish with your favourite main.

This sweet potato and leek gratin will quickly become a favourite for its comforting richness and easy preparation. Let me know if you give it a go!