au gratin
Broiled with cheese
Au gratin describes food topped with breadcrumbs or cheese and browned under high heat until crusty: potatoes au gratin, cauliflower au gratin.
The French phrase literally means "by grating"—referring to the grated cheese or crumbs.
The technique creates a contrast between the crispy golden top and the creamy interior beneath.
Topped and broiled golden
- broiledCooked by radiant heat
- brownedCooked until darker
- bubblyFizzy or cheerfully animated
- caramelizedBrowned through sugar heating
crisped · bubbling · baking dish · casserole · scalloped · layered · oven-baked · topped
Hard-shelled, literally or figuratively
- golden brownWarm, rich hue
- crispyBrittle and snapping
- crunchyBreaking with sound
- bubblyFizzy or cheerfully animated
caramelized · browned · crackling · toasted · crumb topping
Warm and substantial
- creamySmooth and rich
- indulgentToo willing to yield
- richHaving much of something
- warmModerately heated, or friendly
satisfying · homestyle · buttery · savory · cheesy · filling · cozy · traditional
Swiss melting cheese
- cheddarFirm aged English cheese
- parmesanGranular Italian grating cheese
- emmentalNutty holed cheese
- fontinaItalian melting cheese
asiago · pecorino · cream cheese · cheese sauce · shredded · melted cheese
Thinly sliced tubers in sauce
- dauphinoiseCream-baked sliced potatoes
- mac and cheesePasta in melted cheddar
gratinated
Topped and broiled golden
caramelized · crisped · bubbling · baking dish · casserole · scalloped · layered · oven-baked · topped · melted
crusty
Hard-shelled, literally or figuratively
- golden brownWarm, rich hue
- crispyBrittle and snapping
- crunchyBreaking with sound
bubbly · caramelized · browned · crackling · toasted · crumb topping
hearty
Warm and substantial
warm · satisfying · homestyle · buttery · savory · cheesy · filling · cozy · traditional · potluck
gruyere
Swiss melting cheese
fontina · asiago · pecorino · cream cheese · cheese sauce · shredded · melted cheese
scalloped potatoes
Thinly sliced tubers in sauce
- dauphinoiseCream-baked sliced potatoes
- mac and cheesePasta in melted cheddar
- cheesy dishesgrilled cheese, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, nachos, quesadilla
- potato dishesfrench fry, hash browns, latke, mashed potatoes, rosti
- side dishesside dish, mashed potatoes, sides, cole slaw, slaw
- food prepchopping, slicing, dicing, mincing, peeling
- cooking methodsfrying, boiling, baking, grilling, roasting
- potatoesrusset, fingerling, red potato, white potato, purple potato