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     Title: Ombré Gratin - Part Two
Categories: Vegetables, Dairy, Herbs, Cheese, Pastry
     Yield: 12 servings

          DIRECTIONS CONTINUE

 In the bowl, season the sliced sweet potatoes with 1
 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat.
 Shingle them on top of the cheese-topped beets in 2 to 3
 even layers, then press them gently to compress the
 vegetables evenly, eliminating any air pockets. Sprinkle
 the sweet potatoes with 1 1/3 cups grated Gruyère.

 In the bowl, season the squash with 3/4 teaspoon salt
 and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Shingle the
 squash over the cheese-topped sweet potatoes in 2 even
 layers, press to compress the mixture, then sprinkle the
 squash with the remaining 1-1/2 cups grated Gruyère.

 Shingle the potatoes on top in 2 to 3 even layers, then
 slowly pour the remaining cream mixture evenly over the
 sliced vegetables. Set on the middle rack of the oven
 and place a large sheet pan directly underneath on the
 rack below to catch any drips. Bake until the vegetables
 start to soften, about 1 hour.

 AFTER THE VEGETABLES HAVE BAKED FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES,
 PREPARE THE PHYLLO: In a small saucepan, melt the butter
 over medium-low heat. Working on a large, clean surface,
 set 1 sheet of phyllo down. Brush lightly with melted
 butter then set a second sheet of phyllo on top. Take
 your hands and scrunch the phyllo into a 5 1/2" rosette
 with lots of folds. Push aside, then repeat with
 remaining 14 sheets of phyllo, creating 8 rosettes
 total.

 After the sliced vegetables have cooked for 1 hour,
 remove from the oven. Increase heat to 400 degrees.
 Using a paper towel, gently pat the surface to remove
 any liquid that may have risen to the surface, then
 cover the top with the 8 phyllo rosettes, scrunching
 them as needed to fit. Brush the phyllo generously with
 melted butter.

 Bake until the phyllo is crisp and golden and the
 vegetables are tender and a paring knife slides easily
 through the center, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 20 to
 30 minutes before slicing. (Patience is crucial; if you
 slice this before the liquids are reabsorbed, the gratin
 won't form slices without slipping apart.)

 While the gratin firms up, reheat the reserved cream
 over medium until warmed through, about 2 minutes.
 Season the warm sauce with salt and pepper.

 TO SERVE: cut the gratin in half lengthwise, then cut
 crosswise to form 12 even slices. Pass the sauce at the
 table, to spoon on the side.

 TIP: In order for the vegetables to be tender by the
 time the phyllo is crispy and golden, they must be
 sliced 1/8" thick. A mandoline makes fast work of
 vegetable slicing and creates uniformly thin pieces,
 though you could use a very sharp knife (and an
 abundance of caution) when slicing the dense vegetables.
 Japanese Benriner slicers are restaurant staples, and
 are affordable tools for home cooks, too.

 Recipe by Alexa Weibel

 RECIPE FROM: https://cooking.nytimes.com

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