Mixed-Up Yukon Gold & Sweet Potato Gratin

"Racism and discrimination ain't never been my bag; I've always been of the mindset that we're all mixed with a lil' bit of everything. After taking a DNA test a few years back, I learned that on top of my obvious African lineage, the bulk of it coming from Mali and Cameroon, I'm a little Irish with a sprinkle of Native American, East Asian, and Russian. And while some of us have the privilege to just prioritize equality on MLK Day or after the horrific shooting of an unarmed Black man by the police, the reality remains that we are all the same, even though civil rights are still a massive work in progress. Realizing that cultural marginalization was the inspo for this gratin, where Yukon Golds mingle with sweet potatoes, may feel heavy, but it's the truth. Each potato brings its own unique qualities into perfect harmony in this dish."

- Jocelyn Delk Adams

If you've been here before, you know how much we like to weave together great flavors to create unique dishes. This mixed-up potato gratin is no exception! It's the perfect Yukon Gold & sweet potato gratin combo covered in a delicious duo of melted cheeses.

If you like this potato gratin, you'll love sweet potato biscuits, mashed potatoes, an easy potato salad, picarones, and aloo chaat.

Learn more about cooking with kids.

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Everyday Grand

This mixed-up potato gratin recipe is from Everyday Grand: Soulful Recipes for Celebrating Life's Big and Small Moments by Jocelyn Delk Adams with Olga Massov.

Inside the cookbook, Jocelyn talks more about celebrating life:

Most of our lives are made up of small moments, and those moments can bring us so much more joy when we take time to appreciate and acknowledge them...In the spirit of this mindful shift to celebrating life and cultivating joy, I also want this book to honor the African American experience. Part of Black survival is learning to laugh, dance, and smile through the most painful and troubling moments. From slavery to segregation to Jim Crow laws to the Civil Rights and BLM movements - these experiences have steeled us into a people of resilience, strength, and power. Even our homegoings (funerals), despite the somber occasion, are filled with celebration and gratitude as we come together and remember the life of the deceased. Our joy truly comes from within, because even our everyday experiences are cloaked in being Black. Finding joy even amid pain or monotony is the way we get through things. It's our survival mechanism. We can form a Soul Train line or do the Wobble anywhere - and everywhere.

- Jocelyn Delk Adams

To help you on your quest to celebrate all life's moments is the insightful Celebrate! suggestions that accompany each recipe.

You can find more delicious recipes by Jocelyn Delk Adams over at Grandbaby Cakes or shop the Grandbaby Cakes collection at Williams Sonoma.

Stop by our shop to see more Family & Kids' Cooking Resources.

Learn more about allergies and your family.

How to Make Mixed-Up Potato Gratin

Ingredients

• potatoes
• sweet potatoes
• thyme
• rosemary
• salt
• black pepper
• smoked paprika
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• cayenne pepper
• mustard powder
• nutmeg
• butter
• flour
• half-and-half
• mascarpone cheese
• Gruyère cheese
• Colby Jack cheese
• parsley

Equipment

• apron
• prep bowls
• child-friendly knife
• cutting board
• peeler
• chef knife
• butcher block
• measuring spoons
• measuring cup
• molcajete
• box grater
• whisk
• blue carbon steel pan
• sauce pan
• wooden spoon
• learning tower

Peel the Potatoes & Shred the Cheese

Wash your hands with soap and water. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the potatoes.

Use a box grater to shred the Colby Jack and Gruyère cheeses. Place the shredded cheese in a bowl and set aside.

Slice the Potatoes & Chop the Herbs

Use a child-friendly knife or chef knife to slice the potatoes. The slices should be about ⅛ inch thick. Chop the thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

Rinse the Potato Slices & Prepare the Seasoning

Place the potato slices in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with lukewarm water to rinse the potatoes.

Arrange the potato slices on a kitchen towel or on paper towels. Use another towel to pat the slices dry.

While the potatoes are drying, it's a good time to grind the black pepper and black mustard seeds with the molcajete and grate the nutmeg using a box grater.

Add them to a bowl with the thyme, rosemary, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne. Whisk everything together until combined.

Turn the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Melt the Butter

Place the butter in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Use a measuring spoon to add the flour to the pan. Stir continuously using a whisk for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux.

Learn more about making a roux with this seafood gumbo.

Add the Mascarpone Cheese & Half-and-Half

Whisk in the half-and-half and mascarpone cheese.

Add the Other Cheeses

Add half of the shredded Gruyère and Colby Jack cheeses to the saucepan.

Jocelyn says "whisk until the cheeses have melted into cheesy deliciousness and the sauce thickens slightly."

Turn off the stove and set the saucepan aside. The sauce will get thicker as it cools and that's okay.

Combine the Potatoes and Seasoning Mixture

If you're using cast iron, you'll want to grease the skillet with butter. Place the potato slices in a large bowl. Add the seasoning mixture to the bowl and toss the potato slices to coat evenly.

Arrange the Potato Slices in the Pan

Arrange the potato slices in the pan. Jocelyn suggests alternating between 2 slices of Yukon Gold and 2 slices of sweet potato in a tight circle. Continue, layering as needed, until all of the potato slices are in the pan.

Pour the Cheese Sauce on Top

Pour the cheese sauce on top of the potatoes. Spread it out evenly to the edges of the pan. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.

Bake for 50 Minutes

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and return to the oven.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is golden and melted. Turn off the oven and let the pan sit for 10 minutes. Garnish with the chopped parsley and enjoy.

Free Mixed-Up Potato Gratin Recipe for Pre-Readers & Up

Grab your free printable recipe cards above. Kids can gather ingredients using the ingredient list, gather their equipment with the tools list, and prepare the meal using the step-by-step recipe cards, with assistance as needed.

The cards are easy to use, include pictures, and encourage confidence and independence in the kitchen. They also make an excellent addition to your Montessori continent box for Asia.