Zucchini Gratin

So this morning I was watching Down Home with the Neelys on Food Network and they made this dish – a delicious, creamy, and cheesy baked zucchini casserole. It looked delicious, and I made a mental note to make it someday soon. Then later this afternoon the question came up of what we were having for dinner, and with this recipe idea still in my mind I set out to prepare it. Being the lazy slob that I am, I didn’t feel like looking up the recipe, so I just decided to wing it from memory and adjust things as needed based on what we had in the fridge. It turned out beautifully, although it was slightly different from the casserole the Neely’s had prepared on television. This zucchini gratin makes for an excellent side dish, or can be served as a meal unto itself. If you crave a bit more, try adding some pasta, meat, or beans, or serve atop a large slice of your favorite artisan bread.

Zucchini Gratin
*makes about 4-5 servings

Ingredients
2 medium zucchini, skins on, cut into half-moons 1/2″ thick
1 large tomato, chopped into large chunks
2-8 oz packages baby portabella mushrooms, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup milk
3-4 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs, if desired

1. In a large sautè pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sautè the onion until translucent, then add the garlic, sautèeing for another minute or so.

2. Add zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, and olive oil, cooking for about 10 minutes (be sure to keep the pan covered as often as possible). During this time, add the thyme, flour, salt, and pepper.

3. Add mixture to a buttered 9 by 11-inch casserole dish (or one of similar capacity). Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake at 350ºF for about 30 minutes.

5. If desired, remove from the oven and sprinkle with breadcrumbs, then bake for an additional 5 minutes.

–Lauren