For as much as I like to make fun of / be jealous of Ina Garten and her life in the Hamptons, the woman knows food. I’ve lightened up / adapted a few of her recipes before – Creamy Lemon Pasta, Roasted Eggplant Spread, and the Honey Apple Upside Down Cake was originally based on her Plum Tatin.
Today’s is a simple side dish – a zucchini gratin, with a light bechamel-type sauce, topped with bread crumbs and cheese. It makes a delicious compliment to almost any summer meal.
Based on this recipe.
Lightened Up Zucchini Gratin
Ingredients (6 servings)
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 large onion, diced
- 1 large zucchini, cut into half-moon shapes 1/4 inch thick (about 4 cups)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 oz grated Gruyere
- 2 Tbsp parmesan/romano
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 375.
In a large skillet, saute onion in butter for 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.
Add zucchini and cook for about 10 minutes, until zucchini begins to brown. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and paprika.
Sprinkle flour over zucchini mixture and stir until well mixed; slowly add milk and increase heat until the milk begins to bubble.
Reduce to a simmer, and stir constantly until milk thickens.
Pour into baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese. Bake, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, until top begins to brown and cheese melts.
Ina’s version: 300 calories, 18 g fat (10g saturated!), 26 g carbs, 10 g protein
My version: 100 calories, 5 g fat, 10 g carbs, 5 g protein
I made the recipe healthier by using skim milk, 1/6 the amount of butter, less salt, fewer breadcrumbs, and less cheese – using sharp flavored cheeses like Gruyere and Romano make up for it.
To be fair, I think Ina’s “serving” is about twice the size of mine too (mine is around 1/2 cup, which is appropriate for a side dish).
What’s your favorite summer side dish?
I think a zucchini side-dish is absolutely delicious. I just love gratin, especially at this time of the year when we’re wanting something warming xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..‘A’ is for…
Oh this just looks delicious! Plus I just got two huge zucchinis from the CSA this week
Paige @ Running Around Normal recently posted..Tuesday Tip: Can Air Conditioning Make You Fat? + A Big Announcement
So many great zucchini recipes floating around right now!
This looks delicious! I’ve been on a zucchini kick lately, as is everyone I think! Love your idea of using less of more flavorful cheeses too.
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance recently posted..Chocolate Chunk Banana Soft Serve and Giveaway Winner!
Yum! This looks delicious! I usually am so boring with sides…just veggies or bread!
Cait’s Plate recently posted..Feelin’ Peachy
I love Ina’s recipes…and I always get sucked into her show. Her voice is so calming!
This recipe looks amazing…I’m always looking for new side dishes!
Autumn@Good Eats Girl recently posted..Strawberry Stuffed Lime Cupcakes
She DOES have a calming voice!
Beautiful! I love zucchini side dishes in the summer!
I love panko bread crumbs!!! My fav summer dishes have to be anything fresh and not too hot (especially on those scorcher days!)
I want to get in the habit of making my own dips and spreads this summer…and maybe some salsa! I tried making salsa only once before and I overdid it in the food processor…not this summer
char eats greens recently posted..a growing belly
I love your lightened up recipes. Gratins are one of my favorites. Great stats on this one!
My favorite summer side right now is the tomato-basil-beet salad I posted a couple of weeks ago. it was insanely flavorful and refreshing in these 100 degree temps!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Comment on Vegan Protein-Packed Ancho Bean Burgers by Baker Street
Wow that is great and so healthy too. I’m a sucker for zucchini so this might be right up my ally!
HollieisFueledByLOLZ recently posted..Open Water 3k Recap (44:00)
Looks delicious! I’ll have to try this one soon. Yum!
Kate recently posted..Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes
I can imagine how great this must still taste, even if it’s a lightened up version! I love Ina Garten too, but I do save her recipes when I want to splurge
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic recently posted..Lunch at Sofra: Mezze Plate
I love Ina’s recipes too, but I always lighten them up. Amazing how good they still are. Makes you question why people would go for the alternative? This looks delicious! I’m a summer vegetable girl, so really, anything you can get from the garden this time of year is the perfect summer side dish for me!
That looks perfect! I like potatoes au gratin, but I don’t like potatoes that much so this seems like an upgrade!
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed recently posted..Namaste!
I love Ina, yet I laugh at her too! She’s always having such elegant parties and luncheons haha!
The gratin looks great!
Ari@The Diva Dish recently posted..Oh Coconuts!
Exactly, I love to hate her because I want her lifestyle!
This zucchini dish looks amazing! I can’t wait to give it a try. My favorite summer dish is pasta salad, although I recently have tried it with quinoa and love that variation.
I love quinoa in almost anything, too!
Mmmm Gruyere
I think we generally see eye to eye when it comes to cheese!
Vegetables and cheese never ever fail to make me happy! This gratin looks fabulous–and I love that it’s made with gruyere. Ina Garten is one of my favorite chefs too; her recipes are foolproof!
Woah how weird, I JUST made zucchini gratin too yesterday and I posted about it. Mine was a bit different though. How awesome
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday #14 and packages!
Awesome, I’ll have to check our your recipe!