Irresistible Fun Food: Serve It ‘Au Gratin’ Style (Lots of Recipe-Sharing)

Gratiner is a French verb. In French cooking, you sprinkle bread crumbs and/or grated cheese on top of whatever is in the dish, and it’s yummy!

Gratiner is a French verb. In English, it means “to brown”. In French cooking, you sprinkle bread crumbs and/or grated cheese on top of whatever is in the dish, stick it in the oven, and brown the top. When you take the dish out of the oven and bring it to the table, you say it’s “au gratin”. If you had omitted that one cooking step, it would not be au gratin.

Can you remember the first time you ever tasted an Au gratin dish? My memory is kind of hazy, but I do believe it was several years back. I was invited out for a Thanksgiving dinner. Before that invitation, I had always enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday at home. My mom never varied her dishes. In fact, she never made anything, at any time of the year, that was “au gratin”. At the home of my friend, potatoes au gratin were served. It was delicious! From that time to this day, if I hear the words “au gratin”, I will more likely eat a double serving (and take some home for later).

There are so many ways to vary an au gratin dish. Use different kinds of bread crumbs, different types of cheeses, and all kinds of veggies. And seafood like crabmeat au gratin. Or fruit like bananas au gratin. It’s fun! Of course, it’s the type of dish you would probably only eat for a holiday or special occasion.

You’ll appreciate these au gratin recipes. Especially for the holidays.

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Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe

Don't wait for a special occasion to try this Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe! It's perfect served for a simple Sunday supper…

www.savingdessert.com

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes au Gratin

Try a tasty twist on a classic dish with our sweet potatoes au Gratin recipe. Our Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes au Gratin…

www.myfoodandfamily.com

Cheesy Caribbean Plantain Gratin - Tasteeful Recipes

Plantain is just a blessing on earth, and this cheesy Caribbean Plantain Gratin is the best. This recipe is for all…

www.tasteefulrecipes.com

Cauliflower Au Gratin Is Our New Go-To Side Dish

Potatoes are out, and cauliflower is in! Jessica Hord is back, and this time she's making our mouths water with a fresh…

www.rightthisminute.com

Easy cheesy baked leeks in Bechamel sauce: the meatless Monday recipe that will make you forget…

Preparation: Use mostly the white part of the leeks. Wash them thoroughly; slice them in half lengthwise and then…

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Blackberries au gratin with lemon mascarpone Recipe | KUHN RIKON

1. Preheat the oven to 250°C / 482°F with circulating air if possible. 2. Mix the blackberries with the liqueur and…

us.kuhnrikon.com

Butternut Squash Gratin

This butternut squash gratin is a lot like a scalloped potato casserole except it's made with winter squash…

leitesculinaria.com

Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin

This Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin recipe is incredible. Rich and a bit decadent...and all about the crab. Pick yourself up…

howtofeedaloon.com

Baked Seafood Au Gratin Recipe | How to make Baked Seafood Au Gratin

Baked Seafood Au Gratin is a delicious continental dish with an assortment of seafood cooked in a cheddar cheese sauce…

www.awesomecuisine.com

Oysters au gratin - Scottish Shellfish

Scottish Shellfish has benefited from EMFF Funding for several projects. Click here for more details

www.scottishshellfish.co.uk

Brandade de Morue or Codfish au Gratin | Caribbean Green Living

The first time I saw Jacques Pepin make Brandade de Morue au Gratin or Codfish au Gratin I was very excited and could…

www.caribbeangreenliving.com

Zucchini Gratin with Yellow Squash

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR DETAILS. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN…

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Creamy Mushroom and Gruy?re Gratin | Canadian Living

Creamy Mushroom and Gruyére Gratin image Image by: Creamy Mushroom and Gruyére Gratin image Author: Canadian Living…

www.canadianliving.com

Old-Fashioned Fruitcake Recipes | Vintage Recipes and Cookery (Reblog)

I have a fond memory of fruitcake. It dates back over 40+ years, and it was the time when my husband-to-be took me to his childhood home in The Bahamas to meet his parents. It was the Christmas holiday season.  His mother offered me a piece of fruitcake. I did not want to offend her, but I really was not a fan of fruitcake. She served me a slice with a cup of coffee. I don't know where my mother-in-law got her fruitcake, but to my surprise ... it was delicious!! That is a sweet memory, and that's why I was happy to reblog this post. It evoked that memory and took me on a sentimental journey. 

Most commercially-made fruitcakes are alcohol-free, but traditionally, fruitcakes usually contained alcohol; both for the flavor and to preserve the cakes for months. In the 1800s, wood burning stoves didn’t have temperature gauges, and oven temperatures varied based on the type and size wood used. You were supposed to learn how to determine the heat through experience. Some recipes ignored the oven temperature and others used terms such as a slow, moderate, or quick oven. ...

Continue reading ...

Old-Fashioned Fruitcake Recipes 

| Vintage Recipes and Cookery from the 1800s

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Did you know that food historians say fruitcakes were common in ancient Rome "when pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and barley mash were mixed together to form a ring-shaped dessert"? (Source)

Interesting facts about the history of fruitcake 🍰:

1. It dates back to ancient Rome
   Early versions of fruitcake were made by Romans using barley mash, honey, wine, and dried fruits like pomegranate seeds and raisins. It was more like an energy bar than a dessert.  (Pomegranate???  I've never had a fruitcake with this fruit.)

2. Fruitcake was once a practical survival food
   Because dried fruit, nuts, and alcohol preserve well, fruitcake could last for months. This made it popular for soldiers, sailors, and travelers in the Middle Ages.

3. It was banned at one point
   In the 18th century, fruitcake was banned in some European countries.  It was considered “sinfully rich” because it used too much butter, sugar, and alcohol during times of scarcity.  (That sounds reasonable.)

4. Alcohol helped it age, not spoil
   Traditional fruitcakes are often soaked in rum, brandy, or whiskey. The alcohol acts as a preservative, allowing some fruitcakes to be aged for years, sometimes decades.

5. It became a Christmas tradition in Europe during the Victorian Era (19th Century)
   Fruitcake evolved into a holiday food in Britain and Germany, eventually spreading to other countries. Each region developed its own version, like German stollen or Italian panettone.

6. The U.S. has extremely old fruitcakes
   Some American fruitcakes, especially from famous bakeries, have been kept for over 100 years as curiosities. One well-known fruitcake from 1878 is preserved in Michigan: the Ford Family Fruitcake: A 141-year-old (as of 2019).  The actual oldest known type of fruitcake is a ~3,500-year-old funerary offering from ancient Egypt, made with dates, honey, and nuts, found in the Tomb of Hatnefer and Ramose. Thebes, Egypt, 1492–1473 BC. 

Fruitcake by Country?  Here’s how different countries make fruitcake differently 🌍🍰:

1. United Kingdom 
   British fruitcake is very dense and dark, packed with raisins, currants, and candied peel. It’s usually soaked in brandy or rum and often covered with marzipan and icing for weddings and Christmas.

2. Germany 
   Germany’s version is Stollen, a lighter yeast bread rather than a cake. It contains dried fruits, nuts, spices, and sometimes marzipan in the center, and is heavily dusted with powdered sugar.

3. Italy 
   Italians make Panettone, which is tall, fluffy, and airy. It’s more like a sweet bread with candied citrus and raisins, and much less dense than traditional fruitcake.

4. United States 
   American fruitcake is often very sweet and rich, loaded with candied fruits and nuts. It’s usually baked in loaf form and sometimes soaked in bourbon or rum, especially in the South.

5. Caribbean 🌴
   Caribbean fruitcake (also called black cake) uses fruits soaked for months in rum and wine. The cake is very dark, moist, and intensely flavored, and is popular at Christmas and weddings.

6. Japan 
   Japanese fruitcake is light and sponge-like, often layered with fresh fruit and whipped cream. It’s much less sweet and focuses on freshness rather than long-term preservation.

Collin Street Bakery Pineapple Pecan Cake (1 lb 14 oz) in Collectible Gift Tin - 115 Regular Size 7” Cake with Pecans, Pineapple, & Honey

Similar or Related Content:

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Tasting History with Max Miller (@TastingHistory). “The History of Fruitcake.” YouTube, 19 Dec. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGXXhthp_8.

Enjoy Your Fruit By Season and in a Salad

Not sure how many of my blog readers have ever eaten an American Thanksgiving meal. If you have, then you know how heavy that meal is. Is it any wonder many people just want to go to sleep afterward? LOL. 

I have been preparing Thanksgiving dinner ever since I got married. That was over 40 years ago. My kids say they have good memories of our holiday meals, and I'm glad. There was one holiday in particular that one of my kids remembers because I made a fruit salad. Instead of a cake with icing or a pie, I wanted to make something sweet but not so heavy. When I went shopping that year, there was some great fruit in the produce department. So I decided to put fruit salad on the Turkey Day menu.

That memory got me thinking about fruit salads and whether or not there were specific recipes for every season of the year. I managed to find fruit salad recipes for winter, spring, summer, and fall. The Thanksgiving holiday occurs during the fall season, and it is no surprise that there are quite a few fall fruit salad recipes.

Image credit: 3pcs Heart Shaped Glass Bowls Golden Rim Edge Fruit Salad Bowl Home Dinnerware Set by GOODFEER 

If you like fruit (and who doesn't?), you'll probably love these fruit salad recipes. There is a delightful winter fruit salad, loaded with the best fruits of Autumn and Winter, and dressed with honey; a spring salad recipe is super sweet, hydrating, and nourishing; and a summer salad made with fresh summer fruits mixed together with crunchy peanuts and a dressing made of Thai herbs and fish sauce. Enjoy!

A delightful winter fruit salad, loaded with the best fruits of Autumn and Winter, and dressed with honey.

~ Winter Fruit Salad Recipe - Natasha's Kitchen https://t.co/VOJbsEvEHX @EverydaySpices pic.twitter.com/o0hs9ItGCY

— Joie de Vivre Magazine (aka My Fox Nooze) (@FoxMarks_ATX) September 25, 2025

https://myfoodieluv.tumblr.com/post/795626728441757696/via-breakfast-fruit-salad-easy-recipe

https://myfoodieluv.tumblr.com/post/795626960861691904/fresh-summer-fruits-mixed-together-with-crunchy

https://myfoodieluv.tumblr.com/post/795627181010223104/via-15-incredible-summer-salad-recipes-you-need

https://myfoodieluv.tumblr.com/post/795627572965916672/autumn-fruit-salad-recipe-foodcom

Sweet & Spicy Fall Fruit Salad — Shauna Sever @shaunasever https://t.co/L6vbiEuTL6 pic.twitter.com/KRicVhYuJC

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) May 7, 2020

How to Find Out When Fruits Are in Season

Holiday Food: A Collection of Recipes for the Celebration of Hanukkah

I am a Christian but I have many Jewish friends who are celebrating Hanukkah. It is a holiday celebration that lasts for eight (8) days, and it has been observed for more than 2000 years. The word Hanukkah means "dedication".  But it is also known as the Festival of Lights.

If you would like to know more about the holiday, My Jewish Learning published an excellent article: The History of Hanukkah.

Like most holidays celebrated by any group of people, there is lots of wonderful food to be enjoyed. 

HAPPY HANUKKAH!!

The holidays don't align very often.#Hanukkah2024 starts on the day of #Christmas2024. Let's align our hearts & #PrayForPeace. 💙❤️💚💙❤️💚💙❤️💚
Everything you need to know to celebrate and prep for Hanukkah https://t.co/P8lXHwlreL pic.twitter.com/ap0LAWKOUL

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) December 5, 2024

Foodie Friday : Apples and Pumpkins

Autumn is the season for apples and pumpkins.  My favorite recipes are apple cobbler and pumpkin pie, which (in my humble opinion) are true American holiday cuisine.  I enjoy these desserts for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

FUN FACTS:

Cobblers originated in the British American colonies.  "The earliest recipe dates from 1824. Apple Cobbler – Cobblers (stewed fruit topped with batter, biscuit, or dumplings) originated in the British American colonies with the term “cobbler” recorded in 1859. Cobblers can be made with any type of fruit or berry and are also known as slumps, grunts, and pandowdy." (SOURCE: M. E. Bond)

A cobbler is not the same as Crisp, Crumble, Betty, Or Buckle?  What's the difference?  "Cobblers are a fruit dessert baked with biscuit-style topping. It's called a cobbler because its top crust is not smooth like a pie crust but rather “cobbled” and coarse. It's usually dropped or spooned over the fruit, then baked. Individual fruit cobblers." (SOURCE: Farmers' Almanac)

"Northeastern Native American tribes grew squash and pumpkins. The Native Americans brought pumpkins as gifts to the first settlers, and taught them the many uses for pumpkin. This led to serving pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving in America about 50 years later." (SOURCE: The History Behind Pumpkin Pie)

• Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe (Perfect Fall Dessert) - A Cozy Kitchen 

• Easiest-Ever Pumpkin Pie Recipe – Pillsbury.com 

Do you have a favorite recipe using these ingredients?

BONUS QUESTION:  Which do you prefer to top your apple cobbler or your pumpkin pie?

• Scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Huge squirt of whipped cream
• Other topping

History of Baked Fruit Desserts Like Buckle, Pandowdy, and Cobbler

Pumpkin Pie! A History!

Previous 5 Foodie Friday Posts;

YACR (Yet Another Chili Recipe)

Figs ~ Enjoy a Coconut Fig Slice

Childhood Memories:  COTTON CANDY

Upside-Down Cakes

Dinner Idea: Chicken with Blackberry Salsa

World Cuisine: Easy Dessert Recipe: Malpua

Do you love experimenting and tasting the food of other countries? Especially the desserts. Yum!

I'm sure I'm not the only foodie out there who loves global flavors. So I'll share this delightful recipe. It's a sweet treat popular in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Malpua is often served at holidays or festivals like Holi and Diwali.

You can find lots of variations of this recipe online. There is malpua served with rose and saffron syrup. There’s Bengali style. There’s banana malpua. There’s Mawa Malpua. (Image below.)

Cooking video: How To Make Malpua - Dessert Recipes



Related Link: How to make mawa - 5 ways of making mawa.

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If You Like This You Might Also Like:

• Sampling Fast Food World Cuisine is a Fun Do!
• Can You Name 5 British Desserts? (NO Googling!)
• Recipe for a Refreshing Summer Drink Made With Mango and Chia Seeds

Holiday Food: Spotlight on Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated mainly by those of Mexican Heritage. It is not observed as a national holiday but here in America, particularly Texas, the state of my current residence, it is celebrated every May 5^th. As with most holidays, there is great food! This post shares a selection of cooking videos that showcase food served during Cinco de Mayo celebrations. 

Cinco de Mayo: Facts, Meaning & Celebrations – HISTORY

How to do Cinco de Mayo at Home in Austin ~ https://t.co/k7oAOmzkcI #holidays #celebrations #CincoDeMayo #Austin #Texas pic.twitter.com/8btop26zi1

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) May 3, 2020

More YT Cooking Videos for Cinco de Mayo

My Texas Foodie Blog Posts Round Up

Hi!  Thank you for visiting my foodie blog.  Stay here as long as you like.  Feel free to come back as often as you like.  I am originally from Florida but currently reside in Texas.  When I got here I mentally donned my cowboy hats and boots and dived into the food!  LOL. ☺  Here is a collection of my blog posts and various articles I have published around the web. 

Image credit:  In Texas, Chili is a Huge Deal

YACR ( Yet Another Chili Recipe )

• Texans love their chili and everyone will tell you they have the best chili recipe.  Everybody but me.  I won't say mine is te best.  But I will tell you that after years of experimenting with various recipes, I finally cme up with one that everybody in my family liked.  

Chili Cornbread Salad (Guest Post)

• Wait!  What??  You can make chili and cornbread into a salad???  

Candied Jalapeño Peppers

• Some Texans will argue over whether fresh jalapeños are better than pickled jalapeños.  But just so the argument won't get boring, throw in candied jalapeños.

Who Loves Nachos?

• I loved going to office parties in Texas.  Somebody always brought nachos!  ♦ Fun Food Fact: In America, National Nachos Day is celebrated on November 6.

Image credit:  Foodie Fun!  Love me Some Nachos!

Cinco de Mayo Holiday Recipes

• Cinco de Mayo is a holiday in Texas mainly celebrated by people of Mexican heritage.  If you want to taste a sampling of Tex-Mex cuisine, get yourself invited to Cinco de Mayo festivities.

A Question About Salsa: Is There an Alternative?

• In Texas salsa is a very common condiment. Nobody looks for alternatives. Just different salsa recipes.

Texas and Tacos are a Match Made in Texas!

• One of the best things about moving to Texas was that my family got introduced to a fun food called tacos. Not only was it fun but it was very inexpensive.  Guess what?  You can make a taco salad or soup.  YUM!

World Cuisine: Great Recipes from Around the World (and Texas)  There's Texas and then there's the rest of the world.  LOL.

Diet and Nutrition Advice: 5 Low-Carb Swaps for A Guilt-Free Holiday Season

With the holidays upon us, you might be worrying about how to get through all the parties and cookie exchanges without derailing your healthy lifestyle. It can be a struggle to avoid temptation, particularly when you’re busy, stressed, sleep-deprived, or all three. At times, you might consider giving up and just diving into the dessert tray. But with a bit of motivation and creativity, you can whip together some festive treats that are both delicious and carb-conscious.

(Original Source for this content.)

Courtney McCormick, Dietitian at Nutrisystem, offers five low-carb swaps to keep you healthy and happy through the holidays:

1. Try veggies when you’re craving a crunch. 

We’re all guilty of lingering too long at the chips and salsa bowl at a holiday party. If you’re craving something crunchy such as a pretzel or chips, try carb-conscious snacks with a crunch – brussel sprouts chips, kale chips, veggies such as cucumber, zucchini, and carrots – they pair wonderfully with a healthier dip such as low-fat ranch or hummus.

2. Sub in cauliflower for your favorite comfort foods. 

Do you love mashed potatoes, rice, pizza, and tater tots? If you’ve been avoiding these foods as part of your healthy lifestyle, cauliflower is here to help. This versatile veggie has recently become popular as a substitute for some of our favorite comfort foods. Mashed and steamed cauliflower have a texture and taste that is surprisingly similar to mashed potatoes – add a bit of salted butter and enjoy! And if you’re not ready to go all in on the cauliflower craze just yet, McCormick recommends swapping out at least half the potatoes for cauliflower.

3. Mix your own dressings and condiments. 

Have you taken a close look at the nutrition facts on your favorite cranberry sauce? You might be shocked by the carbs and added sugars in dressings, sauces, and condiments, even those that appear to be "healthier" options. The best way to avoid sneaky carbs in your condiments is to make them at home. That way, you can control the ingredients and ensure they taste great.

4. Bring the healthy alternative to the holiday party. 

Where everyone else is hauling sugary cookies and cakes, dare to bring the delicious low-carb snack! Get creative with the presentation – use edamame hummus, pita, and slices of red pepper to make perfectly festive "holiday trees."

5. Don’t drink your carbs. 

You’ve probably heard the saying, "don’t drink your calories," before, but you shouldn’t drink your carbs either. Toss the fruit juices and sodas for seltzer, unsweetened tea, and the original favorite, water. Light beer, spiked seltzer, or dry wines are good low-carb alcohol options if you’re celebrating.

• Low-carb non-alcoholic drinks are an even better option.

For more great tips and tricks on how to make the most of your holidays with healthy alternatives, visit leaf.nutrisystem.com.  

(NewsUSA) –