How To Make Leek And Ham Layer

SERVES 4–5. Bacon and ham are wonderful ingredients. They make tasty dishes reasonably economically, because you need much smaller amounts than other meats, due to their rich flavour.

1. Step 1:

   Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6.

2. Step 2:

   Make a white sauce by heating the milk in a microwave or saucepan until hot (but not boiling) and pouring it over the cornflour mixture. Stir in the mustard and seasoning and return to the pan. Bring to the boil, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon, then turn down the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Step 3:

   Boil the potatoes for 4 minutes. Drain.

4. Step 4:

   Heat the butter in a saucepan and sauté the leeks until tender. Spoon half of them into a buttered ovenproof dish, then scatter half of the ham over the leeks and add a potato layer on top. Repeat this, finishing with a thick layer of potato.

5. Step 5:

   Pour over the white sauce and top with the grated cheese.

6. Step 6:

   Cook in the oven for 20–25 minutes at 200°C/gas mark 6, or until the top begins to brown. Serve with broad or French green beans.