This Potato Turnip Mushroom Gratin is a nice addition to any holiday table, made lighter by the addition of vegetable stock and Greek yogurt. Dried mushrooms bump up the flavor profile in this recipe. Sponsored by Pacific Foods.
As the weather turns cooler and holiday menus are planned, rich comfort foods seem to make more regular appearances on dinner tables. We crave rich, creamy foods, which are often made with cream and butter. Although cream and butter make almost anything taste good, they add lots of extra calories, especially during the holidays when sweets and desserts are plentiful. So what’s a gal to do?
It’s all about balance in my book, especially over the next couple of months when eating healthy becomes more challenging. By lightening up recipes where ever I can, I’m trying to keep my weight in check, even with indulgences here and there throughout the holiday season.
This Potato Turnip Mushroom Gratin is an example of a traditionally rich holiday dish that I lightened up with a few key ingredients. First. by using half turnips and half potatoes, this gratin is lower in carbohydrates than the standard potato gratin. Although the texture and taste of turnips are different from potatoes (they’re firmer and have a stronger flavor), the color is the same, so this half and half mixture is a great way to sneak in some healthier vegetables. Turnips are high in dietary fiber and vitamin C too, so it’s makes an excellent swap in for potatoes.
Second, in place of heavy cream which is often used in gratin recipes, I used a combination of low-fat milk and Pacific Organic Vegetable Stock infused with thyme and dried mushrooms. I’ve found that when lightening up recipes, it makes a big difference when you add layers of flavor with vegetables, herbs and mushrooms.
I recently came across Pacific Foods’ new line of Simply Stock, which comes in Vegetable Stock and Chicken Stock. They’re organic, salt-free, fat-free and gluten-free, and made with just a few simple ingredients (Organic Vegetable Stock: water, carrots, celery, onions, leeks, mushrooms; Organic Chicken Stock: water, chicken, carrots, celery, onion). Slowly simmered, these stocks can help add depth and enhance the flavor of sauces, gravies, sautes, braises, and gratins like the one I made today.
The addition of some non-fat Greek yogurt whisked in provides extra heft and protein, yet yields a gratin that is lighter than most. Although I cut out a considerable amount of fat by leaving out the standard heavy cream, I did use some high quality cheese ~ a mixture of rBST-free asiago cheese and aged raw milk Gruyere cheese. High quality, deep flavored cheeses go a long way.
I hope your holiday menu planning is going well. If you have any holiday recipes you’d like help lightening up, just give me a shout in the comments below. I love the challenge of making recipes healthier.
If you’re looking for more Thanksgiving recipes (breakfast, starters/soup, side dishes, desserts) on the healthier side, check out my post 40 Healthy Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Recipes.
Potato Turnip Mushroom Gratin
Ingredients
- 4 cups thinly sliced peeled potatoes
- 4 cups thinly sliced peeled turnips
- 1 cup asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup low-fat organic milk
- 1 8- ounce pack Pacific Organic Vegetable Stock
- .5 ounce ~ 1/4 cup dried mushrooms blend
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 cup raw gruyere cheese shredded
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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Toss sliced turnips, potatoes and Asiago cheese together in a bowl. Heat milk, vegetable stock, dried mushrooms, thyme, salt and pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Whisk together Greek yogurt and egg. Whisk into liquid mixture.
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Lightly grease baking pan. Spoon turnips and potatoes into pan. Pour liquid mixture on top. Sprinkle with Gruyere cheese. Cover with lightly oiled aluminum foil.
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Bake covered for 35-40 minutes. Uncover pan and continue baking for another 20 minutes or until top is nicely browned.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Pacific Foods.
Ooo I love the idea of using greek yogurt for some texture in the cream sauce!! Perfect way to lighten up a gratin! Beautiful!
Thanks Joanne – I love lightening up recipes and Greek yogurt is one of the ingredients that I use to make creamy dishes healthier.
I have definitely been craving more creamier dishes lately and I love your lightened up gratin. It sounds wonderful with the Greek yogurt and gruyere cheese. Great recipe Jeanette 🙂
Thanks Kelly – this time of year, everyone seems to crave richer, creamier dishes, so this lightened up recipe lets you indulge without all the fat of a regular gratin.
What a gorgeous and delicious twist on a traditional gratin! I love the mushroom addition!
By just hearing your vegetarian stock ingredients, I can tell this is such a delicious gratin! I love potato gratin…and it’s really nice to hear it’s healthier version because I tend to eat a little too much when it’s gratin recipe and potato in it!! =P
I love that the food processor helps in the prep time!
Yup, the food processor is my best friend ;). It saves so much time!
Holy moly! This kicks the boring normal potato gratin I made last night out of the water. I’m definitely doing this one next time!
Thanks Russell! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Loving the look of these! I was a little late getting into the turnip fan club, but I’m a proud member now. Happy to find your site with some healthy holiday recipe alternatives . . . I committed to healthy eating/living earlier this year and have lost 30 pounds, but I knew Thanksgiving and Christmastime would prove challenging! Starting to arm myself with healthy food ideas so I’m better prepared for all the get-togethers. 🙂
Thanks Meg! I have to say I’m not a huge turnip fan, so I’m always trying to figure out new ways to introduce them to my family. I found mixing them with potatoes helped a lot.
This would be tasty! I like the use of the Greek yogurt!
Thanks Kevin – I love using Greek yogurt as a healthier substitute for cream in recipes.
Saving this for Christmas dinner. I can’t wait. It looks so good, Jeanette.
Thanks Shaina – wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season!
I make a casserole with layers of potato, sweet potato, rutabaga, carrots and onion with dried Italian herbs and stock. I usually put a layer of feta in the middle and make sure the onion is on top under the cheese topping. Crispy onion with cheese is decadent.
I’m surprised no one has reviewed this recipe that’s actually made it! I loved it, just as described, but will try in without the egg next time to try for a more saucy consistency. Used a mandolin slicer for the turnips and potatoes, then layered them with cheese, lasagne style, to fit it all in my small casserole dish. Thanks, even the kids ate it all up =]
Kara, thanks so much for your feedback on this recipe – and so glad your kids enjoyed it too. I like your idea of leaving out the egg – let me know if you try that.