Corn Au Gratin

There was a time when we were eating out regularly.It had become almost a habit,weekend was spent eating out and lazy weekdays were spent ordering in.We never realized how it was taking its toll on our health until we were shaken into reality.This year,we have gone out very few times,and ordering in has also reduced,I make rice/chapathi and only order the side dish.That way it is sort of a win-win for us.

One place in Chennai where I would want to go every weekend is a quaint restaurant in Besant nagar –Eden.We went there first time when we were searching for a veg restaurant nearby to take my parents when they were in town.When we saw the menu,we were surprised to find continental dishes featured.We didn’t try any of those and spent the time eating North Indian food.It is only the next time we were tempted to try out the continental menu when we saw someone in our next table ordering it.I still remember sheepishly asking the waiter what was it that was on the next table.We loved it so much that we frequented the place despite it being purely vegetarian.They have an amazing spread and I would suggest anyone visiting Chennai to try it out once!

I tried out one of their signature dishes Corn Florentine/Corn au gratin,which is Corn Kernels baked in white sauce with Spinach,I avoided the spinach though.It came out delicious.

Recipe Marathon - Day 2

Corn Au Gratin

Ingredients

Sweet corn Kernels – 2 cups
Cauliflower florets – 3-4,thinly sliced(optional)
Oil – 2 tsp
Onion – 1,finely chopped
Salt to taste

For the white sauce

Butter – 3 tbsp
Maida/flour – 3 tbsp
Milk – 1 ½ cups
White pepper – 1 tsp

Grated cheese – ½ cup
Bread crumbs – 3 tbsp(I put 2 slices of bread in the mixer and pulsed for a minute)

Method

In a pan,add oil and fry the onions till they become translucent(not brown)
Add corn and cauliflower(if using) and ¼ cup water.
When the corn-cauliflower gets cooked,add salt and switch off the flame.keep aside.

Making the white sauce
In a thick bottom pan,add the butter.
Add the maida and keep stirring to avoid burning.
Add the milk little by little and mix well to form a thick sauce.
Add pepper, ¼ cup grated cheese and mix well.

Mix the cooked veggies and the white sauce till the sauce coats well.

Grease a flat baking dish.
Pour this mix and sprinkle the rest of the cheese and bread crumbs.
Pre heat the oven on 180C.
Bake for 20 minutes or till the top browns well.
Serve hot with toasted bread.

Do check out what my fellow marathoners have been cooking

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2) Siri
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4) Ranji
5)PJ
6)Curry Leaf
7)Medha
8)Priya
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10)Raaji
11)Ruchii
12)Anu
13)Kamala
14)Roopa
15)Rekha
16)Divya M
17)Lakshmi
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