Au’Gratin Potatoes and Leeks – A Recipe Review

 How would I describe this dish in one word? Rich! Two words? Very rich! Yet so flavourful. This is a recipe review from the “Christmas” cookbook by ‘Taste of Home.’ One evening, my husband and I wanted to make a lavish meal. We knew we wanted it to be hardy and tasteful. One ingredient we hoped to include was the potato. And knew we wanted our inspiration to come from this exact cookbook.

This ‘Taste of Home’ cookbook has so many fabulous recipes, packed full of brilliant ideas. I have made it my goal to one day cook every single recipe in this book, as they all appear extremely desirable. When I was flicking through the pages I stumbled across the “Au’Gratin Potatoes and Leeks” recipe. I thought to myself, I do enjoy potatoes, and I adore the flavour of leeks! One of my favourite types of soup is potato and leek soup (the best of course is from my Grandmother who is an unbelievable soup chef). And when I saw that the instructions called for Swiss cheese, I was completely sold on recreating this dish.

As wonderful as the process was for making this recipe, it did take quite a long time, including prep and baking time. Thankfully, my endearing husband was aiding me throughout the procedures to ensure I wouldn’t be stuck in the kitchen all night. We enjoy cooking with each other and find it to be a fun activity to share. I am so grateful to be married to a fellow food lover.

How does it taste?

This recipe tastes incredible, and as I said before it is very rich. As many people know, an “Au’Gratin” usually contains some type of creamy sauce. This sauce was beyond creamy and so extraordinarily buttery. The flavours that captivate your mouth when you take that first bite are stupendous. You will detect a unique flavour from the Swiss cheese. And how would you describe Swiss cheese? I would say it has a slight sharpness, along with a sweet almost sugary flavour. This cheese also has a slight “off” taste to it, as if it has been fermenting for some time, but not in a bad way. And by adding the Swiss cheese to the sauce it creates this breath-taking ribbony texture, which pillows itself over the potatoes and leeks.

 I would also describe this dish to be quite decadent.  With all the dairy products accompanied by the heavy potatoes and leeks, you can just feel your cholesterol levels building as you stare at it. But, no regret! For one must expect a bit of weight gain when eating a lavish meal. Bite after bite your taste buds will be screaming with joy. Your mouth will be wonderfully excited that it is allowed to experience such an exquisite dish.

 Nevertheless, as much as you will want to continue eating these potatoes, you will realize that since this dish is fairly rich, it is also extremely filling. I am most certainly the type of person who loves to get a second portion. Unfortunately, I did not have enough room in my belly after cleaning my plate (and no we didn’t just eat these potatoes for dinner, even though that was quite tempting).

In summary, I would say this is an extremely satisfying meal, both for creating as well as eating. I enjoyed every bite and was overly excited to have leftovers the next day. I would highly recommend recreating this masterpiece. The silky cream that encompasses the leeks and potatoes will just melt in your mouth. The flavours all work together so beautifully to design a dish beyond imagination. It is so delightful, that when you are almost done your plate, this will be the last bite you will  eat. Savouring its flavour in your mouth as you want it to linger on your taste buds for the rest of the day. Trust me my friends, you will be in awe.

Enjoy!