ENGLISH BACK BACON RECIPES

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a stockpot with the onion and herbs, then cover with water. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 45 mins, topping up with water if needed. Add the carrots, then continue to cook for 15 mins. Ladle 150ml stock into a smaller saucepan; set aside. Add the cabbage wedges to the stockpot, then continue to cook everything for another 10-15 mins until the cabbage is tender, but not overcooked.
• While everything is having its final cooking, make the sauce. Pour the cream into the 150ml stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for a few mins, then whisk in the mustard and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove the meat from the stock, then carve into thick slices. Serve on a platter with the cabbage and carrots, and moisten with a trickle of stock. Serve the sauce in a jug and some boiled and buttered new potatoes on the side.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Halve any large sprouts and toss them with the oil and some seasoning in a roasting tin or ovenproof dish. Roast for 20 mins until the sprouts are tender and turning golden.
• Meanwhile, put the bacon lardons in a cold frying pan and place over a medium-low heat. Gently fry the lardons so the fat melts out into the pan as they crisp. When golden brown and crisp, remove from the pan with a slotted spoon. Add the breadcrumbs and crisp up in the bacon fat until golden and crunchy. Remove from the pan to cool, then clean the pan.
• Melt the butter in the pan with 2 tbsp of the milk, then stir in the flour and mustard powder for 2 mins to make a paste. Gradually whisk in remaining milk, until you have a smooth sauce. Use a spoon again to stir and cook until the sauce comes to the boil and thickens. Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Taste and season.
• Tip the sprouts into a baking dish, scatter with the crisp bacon lardons, then spoon over the sauce and scatter with the crispy crumbs. Can be cooled, covered and chilled for up to 48 hrs before baking. Bake gratin for 10 mins (or 20 mins from chilled) at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 until piping hot and bubbling.