Vegetable Au Gratin

One of my favorite dishes which my mom loved to make for my whole family when I was back in India. And now it’s my turn to start the tradition. Vegetable Au Gratin is a French dish, it’s a medley of vegetables baked in a cheesy herbed white sauce. You can use any vegetables you like fresh or frozen it tastes great. 

Ingredients:
2 cups chopped in to small cubes vegetables (fresh or frozen - peas, carrots, beans, corn etc.)
1/2 tsp dry oregano
1 cup cheese (Mix of Mozzarella and Cheddar)
pepper to taste
salt to taste
Ingredients for White Sauce:
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp All Purpose Flour (Maida)
3 cups whole milk
1 tsp garlic paste (optional)
1/4 tsp red chili flakes
1/4 cup cheese (Mix of Mozzarella and Cheddar)
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tsp dry oregano

Directions for white Sauce: 
Heat butter in a pan, when melted add the garlic, all-purpose flour and saute on medium heat till the raw smell goes, keep stirring in between. (Should not turn brown)
Remove from heat and add 1 cup of milk mixing to make sure there are no lumps.
Add the rest of the milk mix and make sure there are no lumps.Put back on the heat and cook on medium till the sauce thickens. Keep stirring in between.
Add the salt, pepper, red chili flakes and dry oregano. Mix well. Remove from heat. Add the cheese, mix well.

Final step:
Preheat oven to 180 C/ 350 F.
Steam the vegetables in microwave for 3 mins till half cooked. Drain all the water.Mix salt, pepper and dry oregano to the vegetables and keep aside. (The White sauce too will have salt so go easy on it)
Mix in the steamed vegetables to the white sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Transfer to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle cheese on top. For crispiness you can top it off with some bread crumbs
Bake for about 20 minutes till the cheese has melted and golden brown. Remove cool for 10 minutes and then serve with toasted bread.