From Fine Cooking’s Dinner with Friends

For the sauce:

-In a small saucepan combine the following:

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 clove chopped garlic

1 bay leaf

-Bring to a boil and then remove from heat and set aside to infuse.

-Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

-Slice 2# pounds of potatoes into 1/8 inch thick slices.

-Cut 2 shallots or 1 onion into thin strips.

-Then chop about 6 ounces thinly sliced ham (optional).

To assemble:

-In a large 2-qt. gratin dish or heavy baking dish spread about 1/3 of the potato slices.

-Season each layer with the following:

Sea salt

Pepper

A sprinkling of freshly grated nutmeg

-Then overtop of the potatoes, layer half of the shallots/onions and half of the ham.

-Top with another 1/3 of the potatoes and some more salt, pepper and nutmeg.

-Then spread the other half of the shallots/onions and the other half of the ham.

-Top with the remaining potatoes and more salt, pepper and nutmeg.

-Put the gratin on a baking sheet to catch drips and pour the cream mixture over top, discarding the bay leaf.

-Sprinkle the gratin with 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese, cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

-Remove the foil and bake until the potatoes are very tender and the top is brown, another 30-45 minutes.

-Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.