Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

turnips, greens, and pearl onion gratin

Recipe by
Ellen Gwaltney Bales
Indianapolis, IN

This is such an unusual side dish filled with good things it caught my attention. It would go with just about any meat you like, or could be a vegetarian lunch. Recipe & photo: bhg.com

yield 6 -8
prep time 20 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For turnips, greens, and pearl onion gratin

  • 8 oz
    sturdy green like kale, turnip greens or mustard greens
  • 1 lb
    turnips, peeled and cubed
  • 1 c
    frozen pearl onions
  • 3 Tbsp
    butter
  • 3 Tbsp
    all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • 1/4 tsp
    ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp
    ground nutmeg
  • 2 c
    half-and-half or light cream
  • 1/2 c
    shredded white cheddar cheese (2 oz.)
  • 1 1/2 c
    soft bread crumbs (about 2 slices)
  • 2 Tbsp
    butter, melted

How To Make turnips, greens, and pearl onion gratin

  • 1
    Remove stems and any bruised leaves from the greens. Wash thoroughly in cold water; drain well. Chop the leaves into rough, wide ribbons (should have about 6 cups packed greens).
  • 2
    In a Dutch oven, cook the greens, covered, in salted boiling water for 4 minutes. Add the turnips; cook for 6 to 8 minutes longer or until the greens are tender but still bright-colored and turnips are tender. Add the pearl onions; return to a boil just to thaw the onions. Drain well in a colander; set aside.
  • 3
    In a large saucepan melt the 3 Tbsp. butter. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add half-and-half all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Add shredded cheese, stirring until melted. Gently stir in the cooked greens mixture, then transfer to a 2-quart baking dish.
  • 4
    In a small bowl stir together the bread crumbs and the 2 Tbsp. melted butter. Sprinkle over the turnip mixture. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly and crumbs are golden brown.
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