My mom's Salmon and Leek Gratin
Her signature dish that everyone asks the recipe for!
Family recipes have a unique way of bringing us comfort, and my mom’s Salmon and Leek Gratin is the perfect example of that for me. It’s her signature dish, one she’s mastered over the years. Many have tried to coax the recipe from her, but she’s always guarded it carefully. So, consider yourself lucky — you’re about to discover a family favorite that’s been relished by many but shared with only a select few!
This recipe has history. It was passed down from my grandmother, who was a passionate home cook in her own right.
Back in the 60s, my grandmother who was living in Brest, at the western tip of Brittany, would attend a local cooking club, learning to cook delicious meals for her family. And while salmon isn’t a typical ingredient in traditional Brittany cuisine, this kind of fish and potato gratin very much is. This type of recipe is deeply rooted in Brittany's coastal towns, like Brest, where fishermen’s wives would make gratins with the fresh catch their husbands brought home each day. Although my grandfather wasn’t a fisherman, the abundance of seafood in their town still influenced their meals, just as it did for the rest of the community.
Fast forward to today, my mom has perfected this recipe, passed down from her mother, transforming it into her signature dish. It’s the dish every one associates with her, the one that brings family and friends together time and time again. A simple gratin of mashed potatoes, smoked and fresh salmon, and leeks—nothing extraordinary at first glance, yet it delivers incredible flavors and comfort. I believe that’s why people fall in love with it after just one bite.
When we lived in Canada with my husband Marc, we’d visit my parents in France once a year. Without fail, the moment we arrived, Marc would immediately ask my mom to make this gratin. It became a cherished tradition, something we all looked forward to as much as the visit itself.
Do you also have a cherished family recipe, passed on from your parents or grandparents?
More French Gratin recipes to try:
And so here we are! After years of enjoying this cherished family recipe, I finally asked my mom to pass it down to me. I am so glad I can start recreating this dish in my own kitchen, and naturally, I wanted to share it with you here as well.
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