Stainless Steel Oval Au Gratin Dish

Sized for Individual Servings. Elevate your culinary presentations with Health Craft’s exquisite Oval Au Gratin Dish, measuring 9.25 x 4.75 x 1 inches and crafted from high-quality 18/0 stainless steel with a stunning mirror finish. This versatile dish is ideal for oven-to-table service, whether you’re preparing golden-topped classics or presenting chilled appetizers with elegance.

Versatile Culinary Applications

• Perfect for hot dishes: Au gratin potatoes, baked macaroni & cheese, eggplant parmesan, seafood au gratin, and more.
• Ideal for cold presentations: Fresh grapes, berries, nuts, charcuterie accompaniments, or chilled appetizers.
• Capacity: 12–15 oz., designed to accommodate single servings or shareable sides.

Durable & Practical Design

• Crafted from 18/0 stainless steel for long-lasting performance.
• Oven safe and dishwasher safe for convenience.
• Lightweight at 7 oz. while retaining durability.
• Space-saving: Two dishes nest neatly for easy storage.
• Perfectly suited for home kitchens, picnics, RVs, and boats.

The Culinary Heritage of the Au Gratin Dish

The au gratin dish is more than just cookware—it’s a vessel designed to perfect the classic French technique of gratinage, where a dish is topped with breadcrumbs, cheese, or both, then finished under high heat to create a golden, crisp crust.

Origin of the Term “Au Gratin”

The word gratin comes from the French verb gratter (“to scrape” or “to grate”), a nod both to the scraping of a crispy crust and the grating of cheese or bread used in the topping. Au gratin thus refers to the culinary technique, not just the dish.

Historical Development

• 18th–19th Century France: The gratin method emerged in provincial kitchens, with shallow copper or tin pans maximizing surface area for browning.
• Late 19th Century: Dishes like Gratin Dauphinois and Gratin de Macaroni became fixtures in French cookbooks, inspiring specialized shallow, ovenproof pans.
• 20th Century Expansion: As French cuisine spread across Europe and America, the au gratin dish became a staple in home and professional kitchens alike. In the U.S., potatoes au gratin became synonymous with comfort food.

Defining Features of a Traditional Au Gratin Pan

• Shallow design → Encourages even browning and crisp crusts.
• Oval or round shape → Visually appealing and suited for layered ingredients.
• Heat-resistant materials → Metal, ceramic, or enameled cast iron for oven use.
• Side handles/lugs → Easy oven-to-table transfer.

Why Choose Health Craft’s Au Gratin Dish?

Blending tradition, innovation, and durability, Health Craft’s Oval Au Gratin Dish embodies the timeless French technique while adapting it for the modern kitchen. Its sleek stainless steel design makes it as suitable for a casual dinner as for an elegant tablescape.

Whether serving bubbling potatoes au gratin fresh from the oven or presenting crisp grapes at a picnic, this dish ensures your food looks as good as it tastes—a true fusion of form, function, and culinary heritage.

BAKED MAC N CHEESE -The Best Ever!

 Mac and Cheese is a beloved comfort food, but do you know its origins and how it became so popular? The dish can be traced back to 14th century Italy, where a similar dish called maccheroni was popular. However, it wasn't until the 1800s that mac and cheese as we know it today started to gain popularity. In the United States, Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing the dish after he tasted it in Europe. By the late 1800s, boxed mac and cheese became available, making it a convenient and affordable meal option. Today, it remains a popular comfort food and can be found on menus in various forms, from classic to gourmet.

EQUIPMENT: Measuring cup and spoons, food cutter, #1 Grating cone for grating cheese, and #2 cone to Julienne cut for block cheese, 3-quart saucepan, and 2-quart steamer/strainer, 1-quart saucepan.

PREPARATION: 1 hour - Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• ½ pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta #87
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or dried ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon of hot dry mustard
• ½ cup Half N Half
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 6 ounces of Velveeta cheese
• ¼ cup Swiss cheese chopped or grated
• ¼ cup 4 tablespoons cream cheese
• ¼ cup cheddar cheese chopped or grated
• 1 cup whole milk; or rice milk for dairy free

TOPPING

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup season Panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup seasoned or Italian breadcrumbs
• ½ cup Pecorino or Parmesan cheese grated

DIRECTIONS

Bring your 3-quart three-quarters full of purified or filtered water to a boil over medium heat at 275°F and cook pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta through the steamer/strainer set aside and keep warm. (DO NOT USE CHLORINATED TAP WATER). Clean the 3-quart saucepan.

In the 3-quart melt the butter over medium heat at 275°F. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until it smells like cookie dough. Add the nutmeg and mustard whisking as necessary and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Slowly add the Half N Half and milk, whisk as needed until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Turn the burner off and add a small amount of cheese at a time whisking until the cheese melts and is fully incorporated into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and stir to combine.

NOTE: At this point, you could serve right from the pan. For baked Mac N Cheese preheat the oven to 375°F. While the oven is heating pour the Mac N Cheese into a baking dish.

To prepare the topping melt the butter in your 1-quart saucepan over medium-low heat at 175°F. Add the breadcrumbs to the melted butter and stir to combine and turn the heat off. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs topping evenly over the Mac N Cheese and place in the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. 

SERVING:

Top with grated cheese and serve hot. Enjoy!