Dave Litti"Coat Your Potatoes with this Au Gratin"

I meet Dave Litticoat my freshman year through a little program called "Date the States" that our mutual friend, Damian Idiart, created. Damian, Dave and a few other guys- that called themselves "The Fab Five"- thought a good way to date and get to know a variety of girls was to have a goal of dating a girl from every state in the United States during their freshman year. Because I was from Georgia I went out with 4 of the 5 "Fab Five." (That's right I have two more dishes to be named from the "Fab Five!) As gimmicky as it was, I ended up meeting some of my favorite friends through this "program." And Damian met the future Mrs. Damian Idiart- Sarah- because she was from Alaska. Ironically Dave Litticoat was from Austraila, but this potato dish has more European roots. But now that I think about it so does Austraila. Look at old boyfriends and current recipes coming full circle. Just proves again that boys and food are inseperable!
Dave Litti"Coat Your Potatoes with this Au Gratin"
1 yam, about 1 1/2 lbs., peeled and thinly sliced
1 sweet potato, about 1 1/2 lbs., peeled and thinly sliced
2 russets, about 2 lbs., peeled and thinly sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
4 TBSP. butter, cut into small pieces
1 TBSP. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 TBSP. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups grated Gruyere, Swiss or Emmanthaler cheese
Place the sliced potatoes in a mixing bowl: toss well. Grease a 2 quart baking dish. Place 1/2
of the potatoes in the dish and top with 1/2 of the sliced onions and dot with 1/2 butter. Layer remaining potatoes, onions and butter in top. In a mixing bowl combine thyme, nutmeg, salt, pepper, cream and cheese. Pour over the potatoes and cover with foil. Bake at 375 for 1 hour, remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes. Serves 10-12