Kohlrabi & Ham Gratin
If you haven't tried kohlrabi, which tastes like a mild, sweet turnip, this gratin is an excellent place to start—after all, what doesn't taste good with cheese sauce on it? Kohlrabi that are less than 3 inches in diameter will give you the most tender results.
From EatingWell: May/June 2009, January/February 1996
Yield: 6 servings
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 1/2 hours
Ingredients
- 3 pounds kohlrabi , (5-6 medium), trimmed, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 1/3 cups low-fat milk, divided
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced smoked ham, cut into strips
- 1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat (see Tip)
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Put a large pot of water on to boil. Coat a 1 1/2-quart gratin dish or similar-size shallow baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook kohlrabi in the boiling water until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain.
- Heat 1 cup milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming. Whisk flour and the remaining 1/3 cup milk in a small bowl to make a smooth paste; stir into the hot milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce bubbles and thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in ham and cheese. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Distribute the cooked kohlrabi in the prepared dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the top, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
- Bake the gratin until bubbling and golden on top, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4; cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
- Tip: To make fresh breadcrumbs, trim crusts from firm whole-wheat bread. Tear bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. One slice of bread makes about 1/2 cup fresh crumbs.
Nutrition Per serving:
140 calories; 3 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 13 mg cholesterol; 22 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 10 g protein; 9 g fiber; 391 mg sodium; 814 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (230% daily value), Potassium (23% dv), Calcium (16% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 3 vegetable
