Creamy Potato Bake Recipe

Our creamy potato bake is a South African favourite. You’ll find people tucking into this tasty potato dish at every good braai. This creamy potato bake is similar to a Dauphinoise, but uses a béchamel sauce instead of cream. The result is a potato gratin that is lighter and lower in calories, with a more firm texture. Our creamy potato bake is so easy to make and is a crowd pleasing and comforting side dish. You can cook this the day before and reheat in the microwave or covered in a low oven until heated through.

HOW TO MAKE CREAMY POTATO BAKE

Ingredients

• 750g potatoes, unpeeled and finely sliced (use a mandolin if you have one)
• 1 red onion, sliced into rounds using a mandolin

For the sauce:

• 600ml milk
• 1 onion, halved
• 3 bay leaves
• handful black peppercorns
• 50g butter
• 50g plain flour

You will need:

• a gratin dish, buttered

Method

1. Start by making the sauce. Gently heat the milk in a pan with the onion, bay and peppercorns. Set aside, covered, to infuse for 1 hr. Strain. Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook for a few mins on a low heat. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and thickened.
2. Heat the oven to 220C. Tightly arrange a layer of potatoes on the base of the gratin dish, top with a layer of sauce, then top with red onion and season well. Repeat the layering process, finishing with a final layer of potatoes topped with sauce.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 30 mins, then reduce the heat to 180C. Remove the foil, and bake for another 45 mins until golden brown.