Ham and Gruyere Potato Gratin

This is a new recipe I just picked up from Cooking Light, and it's fabulous. It smells beyond amazing, and tastes great. It takes forever to bake and fills your house with mouthwatering scents, but is worth the wait.

• 2.5 c 1% milk or fat free half & half
• 2TB flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp butter
• 1/2 c finely chopped onion
• 1c (4oz) shredded Gruyere cheese, divided into two portions
• 2 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/8 in slices - about 6.5 c (you can use a mandoline or the slicing blade on a food processor to get even slices - I just use a knife)
• 4 oz low fat ham

1) Preheat oven to 350.

2) Combine first 4 ingredients, stirring with a whisk, set aside.

3) Heat butter in a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add onion, cook until tender but not brown. Stir in milk mixture, bring to a boil. Cook slowly over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat, add half of cheese and stir until melted.

4) Arrange half of potatoes in an 11x7 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour half of sauce over potatoes, cover with ham. Top with remaining potatoes and remaining sauce. Sprinkle evenly with other half of cheese.

5) Cover with foil coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 40 min. Uncover and bake another 45 min., until cheese is golden brown.

Yield: 6 servings, 7 points each