Gnocchi, bacon, cheese and tomato bake

Got the idea for this from a Tesco recipe (originally gnocchi and courgette bake). It's quick and easy. Ingredients (serves 2 adults) Pack of fresh gnocchi 4 rashers bacon, cut into strips 1/2 onion, finely chopped Tomato passata Prepared green beans Goat's cheese Parmesan cheese Method Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Fry the bacon strips, and after a few minutes add in the onion. Once both are turning golden brown, turn off the heat and stir in some tomato passata. Don't use too much, just enough to make a small sauce. Warm the gnocchi for 2 mins in boiling water, then drain off and place into a casserole baking dish. Pour the tomato/bacon/onion mixture over. You should have enough sauce to coat the gnocchi, but you don't want them swimming in it. Add seasoning - I used basil and black pepper. Add some green beans then crumble in some goat's cheese, shaking parmesan over the top of the whole dish. I also added a last minute garnish of halved cherry tomatoes. Bake for 10 mins in the oven, until hot through. Serve with salad.

Pasta with Tomato Sauce

I have many fond memories of making this several times a week whilst I was in Uni!

Recipe
Cut up bacon rashers into strips (around 2 rashers per person). Fry until beginning to brown.
Put the pasta on to boil- I recommend Fusilli (twists).
Add 1 chopped up red onion, 1 clove garlic.
Add 2 chopped red peppers and a handful of mushrooms.
Add a tin of tomatoes.
Season with black pepper, oregano and basil (fresh if poss).
Serve pasta with the sauce poured over it.

Tomato, feta and potato salad

There is a gorgeous combination of flavours here, love it every time!

Recipe
Put new potatoes on to boil (2-3 per person).
Fry some bacon rashers (2 per person) till browned and crispy.
Add a chopped red onion.
Prepare a round lettuce by coring, cutting into strips then washing thoroughly in a colander.
Slice a handful of cherry tomatoes and peel and chop up an avocado.
Chop up feta cheese into small chunks.
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Cut the new potatoes in half as you add them.
Sprinkle lemon juice over the salad and some black pepper.
Serve up with crusty white bread.
Variation: add olives, leftover spinach, asparagus (if you're feeling indulgent, it's expensive), olive oil, capers, basil leaves.

Bacon risotto

Simple but delicious.

Recipe
Chop bacon (2 rashers per person) into strips and fry until browning.
Add 1 chopped onion or leek (make sure you wash it thoroughly in a colander) and 1 clove garlic.
Add 150g arborio rice.
Mix up 1 pint of chicken stock and add gradually (you may not need all of it).
Add a dash of white wine and a pinch of parsley and black pepper.
Add 1 chopped tomato towards the end (or a few halved cherry tomatoes), and stir in some spinach.
Serve with parmesan.

Bacon & Pea Pasta

Inspired by Jamie Oliver.

Recipe (serves 2)
Put 200g conchiglie (shell) pasta on to boil.
Cut up 4 rashers of bacon into strips and fry. Once browning, add 1 onion and 1 clove garlic.
Add chopped mushrooms and two handfuls of frozen peas.
Drain pasta when 'al dente', and add it to the bacon mix.
Stir in 2-3 tbsp creme fraiche and 1 beaten egg. Turn the hob off, but keep the pan there.
Add a dash of mint and mix well.

Lentil & Bacon Broth

Perfect all year round, but particularly good as a winter warmer. These quantities will serve 4-6 people, depending on their appetite! I usually make a big pot, then keep leftovers for another night and even freeze in batches.

Recipe
Melt 28g butter into a saucepan and fry 4-6 rashers of bacon, 1 onion, 2 carrots and 2-3 celery sticks.
Add 140g red split lentils and 1 ¾ pint chicken stock, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp parsley, pepper.
Bring to boil, then simmer for 45 mins- 1 hr.
Serve with hot white rolls or baguette.
Variation: use leek instead of onion. Could also be tasty with oats.