Vegetable Au Gratin
Made this side dish for New Years Eve and liked it.
Bring large pan of salted water to boil, add 1.5 pounds trimmed green beans and 3 cups cauliflower pieces. Return to boil & time 4 minutes. Transfer to colander to drain completely.
In saucepan, melt 2 T. butter, add 2/3 cup Panko bread crumbs & cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Add salt & pepper to taste. Transfer to bowl to cool down then add 3/4 cup shredded gruyere’ cheese (or Swiss). Set aside.
Use same pan, melt 3 T. butter add 2 cloves minced garlic cook 1 minute. Stir in 3 T. flour then slowly add 3 cups half and half. Heat to thicken about 5 minutes. Reduce heat. Stir in 3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp. dry mustard, pinch of cayenne pepper. Heat slowly to melt cheese. Put 1/3 of sauce in sprayed 9x13 oven dish. Layer of vegetables, rest of sauce & Panko mixture on top. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.