By Rachael Thompson Hosting 22.11.2022

Jessica Nguyen’s Potato Dauphinoise With Garlic and Thyme

This French classic embraces tasty tots and is the perfect entertaining dish.

Welcome to Put on a Spread, a recipe series that takes you inside the kitchens – and dining rooms – of some of our favourite home cooks. For this instalment, Melbourne-based home cook and influencer Jessica Nguyen, shares her recipe for potato dauphinoise.

A table featuring the Bed Threads Olive 100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth, its rich green fabric partially concealing the wooden legs, stands on a polished wood floor against a plain white wall.

A sunlit dining room features a wooden table dressed in the Bed Threads Olive 100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth, six wooden chairs with woven seats, a light fixture above, and greenery as the centerpiece for a charming table setting.

A table setting features a brown plate, cream napkin with green leaves, silver cutlery, white placemat, and figs on a luxurious Olive 100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth by Bed Threads atop a dark table.

A sunlit outdoor table with a green tablecloth is set for a meal with Bed Threads' White 100% French Flax Linen Napkins (Set of Four), surrounded by four dark wood chairs under leafy branches, against a pink house with blue shutters and lush greenery.

A plate of focaccia sits on the Olive 100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth by Bed Threads, beside a bowl of pasta, cutlery, a polka dot plate, and a bouquet of white flowers.

20% off

Add to Cart

98 Add to Wishlist View Wishlist

Add to Cart

Olive 100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth

~~$119.95 - $149.95~~ $95.96 - $119.96

~~$119.00 - $149.00~~ $95.20 - $119.20

~~$120.00 - $160.00~~ $96.00 - $128.00

We'd argue that the humble potato is the superior vegetable. It's delicious, filling, and incredibly versatile. Whether it's in the form of fries, gnocchi, or salad, there are so many ways to enjoy this tasty tot.

One of our favourite ways to enjoy them is Jessica Nguyen's Potato, Thyme, Honey, and Provolone Pizza. The other way is her potato dauphinoise recipe – a dish of uncooked thinly sliced potatoes cooked in a cream sauce.

This French classic is a brilliant food to serve as a side dish at dinner parties as it will feed many, is easy to make, and is incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients

● 1kg worth of baby chat potatoes

● 1⁄2 cup of cream

● 1 tbsp of flaky salt

● 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and roughly smashed

● 2-3 bay leaves, optional

● 1 small bunch of thyme

● A few gluts of olive oil

● Nutmeg, to taste

Method

Prepare your potatoes by finely slicing them with a mandolin.
Fill a large bowl with water and a generous pinch of salt and place the potato slices into the bowl to prevent them from oxidising/going brown. This is a great trick especially if you want to mandolin the potatoes ahead of time or the day before. I normally store the bowl in the fridge overnight and then when I’m ready to assemble and bake I drain the potatoes.
Place your cream into a small saucepan and place your choice of aromatics into it. I’ve gone with bay leaves, a few sprigs of thyme, grated nutmeg, garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook on low to heat the cream and infuse the aromatics.
Preheat your oven to 430 F.
Drizzle some olive oil into a large tray and tilt to coat the bottom tray in oil.
Begin placing your potato slices upright in rows vertical down your tray. The idea is to have the potato slices upright as possible so feel free to pack as many into each row as they will slightly shrink as they cook. You should have 5 rows or so worth of potato from 1 kg of potatoes.
Strain your cream mixture to remove the aromatics and drizzle to cover all of your potatoes.
Place a few optional sprigs of thyme and scatter over some flaky salt.
Cook in the oven for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are golden, crispy on the top and soft on the bottom. You might need to turn your pan around in the oven 15 minutes in to get an even golden colour.
Place a stack on each plate and enjoy on its own or as a side to a dinner spread.