Lavender Au Gratin Potatoes

I've never used dried lavender before and wanted to try something new.  So I decided to make this recipe.  It's very easy, albeit a little time consuming.  Fortunately for me, I just bought a new slicer at Sams Club.  You just put the potato in and press down and it slices it for you! I don't know how I've survived so long without it lol.  Especially since I always seem to start dinner late when I need to start early to have it ready in time.

Lavender Au Gratin Potatoes

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour

Total time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 cups worth potatoes, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp. chopped dried lavender buds
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat Oven to 350 F degrees.

Directions:

• Cook in salted water 6 cups of sliced potatoes for around 5 minutes, drain and set aside.
• In a heated skillet saute olive oil, onion, garlic, and lavender buds.
• Add to the onion mixture flour, salt and pepper and stir well.
• Add milk all at once and cook until it is bubbly and thickens.
• In a 2 1/2 to 3 quart greased baking dish place half of the potatoes.  Pour half of the sauce over potatoes and use half of the cheese.  Repeat.
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes.  
• Remove cover and bake an additional 30 minutes until potatoes are tender.  

Adapted from : Joys of Lavender