Darina Allen: My love affair with gratins, from dauphinoise to pumpkin

I’m almost addicted to gratins, a perfect, comforting kitchen supper, a meal in one dish or of course it makes a perfect accompaniment to a roast chicken, a few lamb chops or a brace of mallard

Pumpkin Gratin with Cheese can be a delicious vegetarian main course or a substantial side dish. Cook it under a roast to catch the delicious juices.

Sat, 14 Nov, 2026 - 01:00

Darina Allen

Darina Allen is co-founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School and more recently the Ballymaloe Organic Farm School in Shanagarry, East Cork.

What could be more enticing on a winter evening than a bubbly seasonal gratin. Years ago, the limit of my imagination on gratins was potato and spring onion gratin and gratin dauphinoise but I’ve become so much more adventurous.

I’m almost addicted to gratins, a perfect, comforting kitchen supper, a meal in one dish or of course it makes a perfect accompaniment to a roast chicken, a few lamb chops or a brace of mallard.