Brussel Sprouts Gratin

My contribution to Thanksgiving this year.

Brussel Sprouts.

Oh, yes.  And the apples.  Those went into the apple pie.  But the brussel sprouts were the demanded for request.  And that request came from my sister, who says she doesn't like brussel sprouts.  But when I decided to make a brussel sprout gratin last year on a whim (thanks to a sale flyer from Trader Joe's that pointed me to the idea in the first place) she was open enough to try it and she fell totally in love.  Everyone did, and so it was asked for again this year and my sister further proclaimed it a necessary dish for Thanksgiving from that day forward.

I think she just needs to try brussel sprouts alone and see if she still doesn't like them.  Tastes CAN change over time!  Though admittedly, unless you're allergic to milk, it's hard to say no to something creamy, bubbly and oven browned on top.  I warn you, however, the sprouts and the cheese will stink up the house good.  But it's so very much worth it.  And like any gratin, it's easy to make.

You can gratin anything.  It can be potatoes, brussel sprouts, broccoli, leeks, pasta, ham.  Doesn't matter what it is.  If it's in a casserole dish, smothered with cheese and/or bread crumbs and baked until goldern brown and delicious, it's a gratin.  But I'm writing today to tell you there are only three ingredients you need to make a delicious gratin.  Only three.  Put them with anything and you'll have an instant hit of a side dish.  The first is heavy cream.  The second is garlic.  And the third is gruyere cheese.  Not just any cheese.  Not just swiss cheese.  Gruyere cheese!  Put all three of those ingredients in a baking dish with your seasoned veggies and/or meat of choice, making sure to top it off with more of the cheese. (And buttered bread crumbs if you want.  But it's definately not necessary).  Then toss it in the oven and bake until golden.  That's it, that's all.  It's delicious!

This here, by the way, is the gratin before I put it in the oven, and lacking the extra cheese on top.  I don't have a picture of the finished product because we ate it all before I remembered I had the camera in my jacket pocket.