FRIJE

Instructions

• 1.   Cut off the branches with leaves (save them to make a soup, for example). Peel the branches, removing as many stringy parts as possible. Cut the branches into regular pieces of about 5 cm.
• 2.   In a saucepan, bring salted water to a boil (enough to cover the celery pieces). Place the celery in the water and cook for 20 minutes (check during cooking, the pieces should remain "al dente"). Drain them.
• 3.   Meanwhile, simmer the tomatoes, crushed garlic, thyme sprig, bay leaf, and bacon in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of water if necessary.
• 4.   Remove the thyme and bay leaf at the end of cooking.
• 5.   In a gratin dish, spread the cooked celery pieces in a layer, cover with the tomato sauce, and sprinkle with grated cheese. Cut the butter into very small pieces and distribute them over the gratin.
• 6.   Place under the broiler in your oven and let it gratin.