Lightened Up Asparagus Gratin (Gluten-Free, Vegetarian)

Make the most of spring's bountiful produce and whip up this easy veggie showstopper! Fresh asparagus, savory cheese and our gluten-free sourdough come together quickly to make a side dish that will have the entire table reaching for seconds.

 

lightened up asparagus gratin

What is Asparagus Gratin?

Gratin is the crust formed at the top of baked dishes. When you think of a baked casserole and the corner pieces which have those slightly burnt edges and deep flavor, that is what gratin aims to do. 

A classic French dish, gratins are typically made with cheese, breadcrumbs, and cream. Today, its found in many family kitchens throughout America and parts of Europe, especially on holidays. 

You've probably heard of potato au gratin or mushroom gratin. Asparagus gratin simply uses asparagus as the base

 

How This Recipe Compares With Other Asparagus Gratin

This lightened-up asparagus gratin recipe is gluten-free. Rather than panko bread crumbs, we make our own with Bread SRSLY's gluten-free sourdough, which is a bit tangier and heartier. With our sourdough breadcrumbs, no opportunity for flavor is left unturned.

We keep this recipe easy by skipping the step of making a roux or béchamel sauce, avoiding the need for a hot pan. Instead, we use coconut flour to thicken the milk, creating a light cream sauce. And rather than using wheat flour like typical recipes, our coconut flour keeps this gluten-free.

 

How This Recipe Compares Nutritionally 

Our asparagus gratin recipe has about half the calories of others, on average. This is in part by using a low fat milk instead of cream or whole milk, and in part by forgoing butter. 

Cheese provides the rich fatty flavor desired in gratin. Though, the saturated fat content in our recipe is much lower than in others, making it a great side choice for those who prefer a low-fat diet. 

 

Recipe created by Fiona Riddle // @feelgoodwithfi
Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Can be made plant-based
Serves: 4

 

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Estimated, with 1/4 cup cheddar cheese topping

Calories: 114
Fat: 6.5g
Carbohydrate: 8.8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6.8g

 

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 slices Bread SRSLY Gluten-Free Classic Sourdough
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus, ends trimmed
  • 1/3 cup milk of your choice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus a little more to top, can use vegan)
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut flour 
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
  2. Add the bread slices to a baking sheet and allow them to bake for about 10 minutes or until dried out. Break the slices into smaller pieces and add to a food processor. Blend to make bread crumbs.
  3. Turn the oven up to 415°F. Add the asparagus in a single layer to a baking dish.
  4. Whisk the milk, mustard, cheese, coconut flour and seasonings in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the asparagus and toss to thoroughly coat the asparagus.
  5. Top with extra cheese and the bread crumbs. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the asparagus becomes fork tender.
  6. Serve hot and enjoy!
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