Description
This Indulgent Easter Egg Creamy Rice Gratin is a rich and comforting dish that combines the creamy texture of Arborio rice with the lusciousness of heavy cream, butter, and cheese. Enhanced with sautéed garlic and onions, nutmeg spice, and topped with sliced hard-boiled Easter eggs and crisp breadcrumbs, this gratin is perfect for celebrating Easter or any special occasion with a deliciously creamy and cheesy baked dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Base
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 cloves Garlic, finely minced
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 1 pinch Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 cup Chopped spinach or asparagus tips
Toppings
- 1 cup Shredded cheese (mozzarella or Gruyère)
- 4 hard-boiled Easter eggs, sliced
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the finely minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add Rice: Stir in the Arborio rice and cook, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes until each grain is well coated and glistening from the butter.
- Cook Creamy Base: Gradually pour in the whole milk and heavy cream, adding a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir frequently and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquids and achieve a creamy consistency.
- Assemble Gratin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the creamy rice mixture evenly in the dish and sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on top. Layer the remaining rice mixture over it and finish with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake: Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top for a crisp finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the gratin is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the gratin rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with the sliced hard-boiled Easter eggs and chopped spinach or asparagus tips before serving.
Notes
- Use Arborio rice for the perfect creamy texture; other rice types will not yield the same result.
- Unsalted butter is recommended to control the salt levels in the dish.
- Feel free to substitute spinach with tender asparagus tips based on seasonal availability.
- Allow the gratin to rest before garnishing to let it set and prevent the eggs from sliding off.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven to maintain the crispy topping.
