Easy cheesy bake

Serves 1-2 people.

I found this recipe in The Cranks Recipe Book and decided to give it a try. I had a horrid feeling it was going to turn out to be soggy and stodgy -partly because it just sounded that way and partly because I’d seen an almost identical recipe in a World War II UK-government-published recipe leaflet designed to help people make the most of their rations. Happily my misgivings were for nothing: this turned out to be incredibly good – full of flavour as well as both light and filling. And it made my flat smell wonderful.

Oh, and it’s incredibly easy to make!

Ingredients:

• 1 small onion
• 4oz (125g) breadcrumbs
• 4oz (125g) grated cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1tsp French mustard
• 3/4pint (426ml) milk
• seasoning

Cheesy broccoli and pasta bake

Serves 1 very hungry person alone, or 2 reasonably hungry people with bread and salad as accompaniments

Ingredients:

• 100-150g low-fat creme fraiche
• 50g blue cheese (Stilton or St Agur work well, but you could use whatever you have)
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
• handful of broccoli spears
• enough dried pasta to fill a big mug
• handful of breadcrumbs or dried stuffing mix

Equipment:

• 2 saucepans (one medium, one small)
• 1 baking dish
• wooden spoon
• chopping board
• sharp knife