One of the meals I always remember with pleasure is pasta gratin. It was made with bechamel sauce and a lot of grated kashari cheese on top. I loved the crispy crust and the pasta melting in mouth. I modernized it a little bit, added vegetables to make it healthier. But the essence is the same, it is a nostalgic meal.
ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, fine dice
- 2 cloves garlic, crush
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce or hot red pepper paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 500 grams pipette pasta, cook
- 500 grams broccoli, boil
- 150 grams cheddar cheese, grate
- 150 grams kashari cheese, grate
- 200 ml cream
preparation
- Heat olive oil, sauté onion and garlic.
- Stir in the flour until smooth. Continue stirring as the flour cooks to a light, golden, sandy color.
- Slowly whisk in milk, bring to boil.
- Combine mustard, cumin, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Blend into the béchamel. Take off the heat.
- Add pasta, broccoli, 3/4th of cheeses and cream to the sauce, stir well. Pour into a gratin dish. Mine was 12x12 in (30x30 cm) square.
- Sprinkle rest of the cheese on top.
- If you're going to serve right away, bake in a preheated 340°F (170°C) oven for about 15 min til golden. OR cover with foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake in a preheated 340°F (170°C) oven with foil on for about 15 min, then remove the foil and keep on baking 15-20 min til golden.
- 1 çbk = 1 çorba kaşığı = 1 table spoon = 15 ml
- 1 tsp = 1 tatlı kaşığı = 1 tea spoon = 5 ml
- 1 cup ~ 1 su bardağı = 1 cup = 240 ml
- measurements
- ps: If you don't want to use cream, increase the amount of béchamel by adding 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp whole wheat flour and 1 cup milk more to the amounts in the ingredient list.
- ps: Can use the cheeses that u like or the ones in your fridge.
- ps: Can vary vegetable and/or add cooked chicken.
- ps: If you're not into baking, you can eat with pleasure after combining all. :) :)
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