Cod, Leek and Potato Gratin

Potatoes doused in creamy sauce are always comforting, but the addition of firm white fish and sweet, oniony leeks make this a dish fit for company. Toss together a big salad, open a bottle of dry white wine and dinner is served.

Cod, Leek and Potato Gratin

Butter for the baking dish

1 1/2 lb. (750 g) white potatoes, peeled

2 leeks, white and pale green parts, halved

1 lb. (500 g) cod or haddock fillets, thickly sliced on the diagonal

Salt and ground white pepper

1 cup (8 fl. oz./250 ml) heavy cream

Preheat an oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 13-inch (33-cm) oval gratin pan or 4 deep, individual-sized baking dishes. Cut the potatoes crosswise into thin, uniform slices. Cut the leeks crosswise into slices about twice as thick as the potatoes. Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper.

Arrange half of the potato slices in the prepared dish, overlapping them to cover the bottom. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Scatter half of the leeks over the potatoes, then arrange the fish slices over the leeks in a single layer, overlapping the slices as necessary. Top with the remaining leeks, then with the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the cream evenly over the layers. Bake for 40 minutes.

Remove from the oven and spoon some of the cooking liquid over the top of the gratin to moisten the potatoes and help them brown. Continue to bake until the top layer of potatoes is tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes and serve. Serves 4.

Find more simple one-dish dinners in our
cookbook One Pot of the Day by Kate McMillan.