Skip to main content

Quick White Bean and Ham Gratin

4.5

(6)

White bean and ham gratin in a skillet like a quick cassoulet.
Photo by Jim Henkens

This quick cassoulet-inspired gratin uses ham and cannellini beans instead of the duck, sausage, and traditional flageolets. The idea is to pull together a quick braise, top it with crisp bread crumbs, run it under the broiler, and serve. 

Variation: For an excellently smoky (and not at all traditional) fish version, use 8 ounces smoked salmon (first choice is the flaky hot-smoked kind, though lox is fine too) or smoked trout or whitefish instead of the ham. Instead of the tarragon, chop ¼ cup fresh dill.

Read More
Developed in the 1980s by a chef in Hong Kong, this sauce is all about umami.
This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.
This flavorful fish stock is your secret weapon for bouillabaisse, shrimp risotto, clam chowder, and more.
The clams’ natural briny sweetness serves as a surprising foil for the tender fritter batter—just be sure to pull off the tough outer coating of the siphon.
This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.
Originally called omelette à la neige (snow omelet) in reference to the fluffy snow-like appearance of the meringue, île flottante (floating island) has a lengthy history that dates back to the 17th century.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
A pinch of sugar in the spice rub ensures picture-perfect grill marks with layers of flavor.