Potato, Leek And Fennel Gratin - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 large fennel bulbs
2 leeks
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine, melted
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 lbs baking potatoes, peeled and THINLY sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whipping cream
2/3 cup milk
3 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Preparation

Rinse and trim off stalks of fennel. Discard the hard outer covering. Slice off bottom of bulbs and remove the center core. Slice the bulb lengthwise into 1/4\" slices.
Remove outer covering from the leeks and trim off the dark green sections. Slice remaining into 1/4\" slices.
Saute fennel and leek slices in butter over med-high heat about 5 minutes in a large skillet. Add 3/4 tsp salt and 1 tsp thyme cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Set aside.
Combine potato slices, flour and 1/2 tsp salt in zip-top bag and shake to coat. Arrange half of these slices in a well buttered 13\"x9\" baking dish.
Mix whipping cream and milk. Pour half of this mixture over potatoes in pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of Gruyere cheese and 1 tsp of thyme. Spoon sauteed fennel/leeks over cheese and top with remaining potatoes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, 1 tsp thyme, and pepper.
Bake, covered, at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until browned. Let stand 10 minutes.