Easy peasy no bake no cheese Corn Au gratin
Disclaimer peeps, this is my super easy healthy version of Corn Au gratin. The term au gratin refers to a dish that is baked/ broiled with breadcrumbs and cheese. My version of it isn’t baked and does not have bread crumbs nor cheese :). Wonder why I still call it Au Gratin??!! Well, that’s cos despite me not adding cheese, the milk that I let simmer in the rue with all the italian herbs just makes the whole dish cheesy and good. cheesy without cheese – how much better can it get??!! Also, you won’t be able to tell it’s healthy if you believe that awesome tasting food can’t be healthy :). Any who, I went grocery shopping over the weekend and loaded up on a lot of vegetables. I plan to make a whole array of healthy but tasty dishes this week :). So look out. This is a dish my mil used to prepare quite regularly many years back (and then went off the radar somehow). The dish re-entered my life since I started having lunch with my friend Yogesh. His wife prepares this dish atleast once a month. She makes this dish by adding a lot of cheese. I just went in for my usual health spin on dishes and I totally loved it. I didn’t ask for a recipe and went with my guess on what should have gone in (except the cheese ofcourse :)) and I quite liked how it turned out. Hence, wanted to document it. I had that with some sauteed mushrooms & a slider and my tummy is super super happy. Such a healthy but happy tummy mine is right now :). Note to people – this dish has 1.5 cups of whole milk which is a lot of protein. A lot of protein without workout can again lead to weight gain. However, since I am working out, I am fine with more proteins and less carbs. People who don’t care about the diet, just this is absolutely awesome. but if you are looking to notch up the level of awesomeness a bit more, then broil/ bake this dish with some cheese/ bread crumbs on top (which makes it officially the au gratin) and go all in :). And hey, missed to mention – this is such a quick and easy dish to prepare. Takes a max of 15-20 minutes to get the dish on the table.
- 1 cup cooked corn/ frozen corn
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tsp garlic herb seasoning
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1.5 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp whole wheat flour
- a handful fresh basil leaves optional
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In a wide pan, heat the olive oil. To this add the whole wheat flour & combine well.
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When the flour starts to brown, add the milk and water in while continuously whisking.
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Let the milk come to boil (in simmer option). At this stage, add the black pepper powder, red chilli flakes, garlic herb seasoning & some salt.
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Keep whisking the mixture once in a while for a few minutes.
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Add the corn in at this stage & whisk. Check & adjust for salt.
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Let the mixture boil for another few minutes. When the mixture is still a little liquidish, turn off the heat.
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Tear and add basil leaves finally and give it a good mix. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes which will make the mixture thicker.
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Enjoy warm on a toast of bread/ slider.
- If you are using frozen corn, make sure to thaw it in the microwave or hot water.
- If you close the pan with a lid, the milk will boil outside the vessel. So leave the pan open.
- When the mixture is still a little liquidish, turn off the heat. The mixture will thicken with time. So if you turn off when it's already thick, it will be very dry when you have it.
- You can use any italian seasoning you have on hand.
Stepwise pictures
In a wide pan, heat some olive oil. Once heated, add the whole wheat flour and stir till it starts to brown.
Add the milk in and whisk continuously to avoid forming lumps.
Once the milk comes to a boil, add the seasonings – black pepper powder, garlic herb seasoning, red chilli flakes & some salt.
Let the mixture boil for 2-3 minutes.
Add the corn at this stage & let the mixture boil for another few minutes.
You will notice the mixture getting thicker. When the mixture is still a little liquidish, add fresh basil leaves & turn off the heat.
Let the mixture rest for a bit during which time it will thicken up and then serve warm with some bread/ slider.
