GRATING POTATOES RECIPES

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water for 15 mins until really tender when pressed into the side of the pan. Drain well and leave to steam-dry in the pan for 2 mins. Mash the potatoes until very smooth – use a ricer if you have one, or use a masher, then press the potatoes through a metal sieve to ensure they're completely lump-free.
• Mix the egg yolk, butter and cheese in a large bowl, then add the mash, nutmeg and some seasoning. Mix well with a spatula until the butter has melted and is well incorporated. It will come away from the sides of the bowl, similar to choux pastry.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Spoon the mash into a piping bag with a wide star nozzle. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and brush over a little vegetable oil. Pipe 20 walnut-sized peaked mounds onto the prepared tray, as if you were icing a cupcake. Beat the egg white with a pinch of salt and brush the potato mounds gently, to keep the fluting.
• Bake the potatoes for 15-20 mins until golden-brown and crisp.

Steps:

• Bash the bay and thyme, then put into a saucepan with the cream, crème fraîche, nutmeg and one half of the garlic clove. Season generously. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 2 mins. Set aside to cool and infuse.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 6. Sprinkle the cut side of the remaining half of garlic with salt and use it to rub the inside of a large rectangular gratin dish. Lightly butter the dish. Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan.
• Thinly slice the potatoes using a mandoline and stack them in piles. Tightly pack the stacks widthways in the dish, standing on their side, using only as many as will snugly fill the dish. Strain the warm cream over the potatoes, pressing down on the herbs as you do so. Bake for 1 hr or until the potatoes are cooked through and crisp on the top, brushing with the melted butter halfway through. Leave to cool for about 10 mins, then serve scooped straight from the dish.