3 Pimp your cheats

At times, we all want to get supper on the table in a hurry. That’s when ready-made soups, mash and sauces (with a little added kitchen wizardry) come in handy.

CHEESY LEEK AND BACON GRATIN Bought chilled cheese sauce is a great base – add extra flavour with mustard, nutmeg, chopped herbs or leftover cheeses.

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6. In a large pan of salted boiling water, cook 4 large leeks, each trimmed and cut into 3 shorter pieces, for about 15min until tender (pierce with a knife to check). Drain well and cool under cold running water. Squeeze leeks to remove excess moisture, then wrap each section in a slice of streaky bacon and sit on a baking tray. Cook in oven for 20min until bacon is starting to crisp. Meanwhile, mix 500g (1lb 2oz) bought chilled cheese sauce with 1tsp English mustard, 1tbsp finely chopped chives, 1 crushed garlic clove and freshly ground black pepper. Empty into an ovenproof serving dish. Nestle leeks in the sauce (discarding any liquid), then scatter over 25g (1oz) grated Parmesan and 25g (1oz) fresh breadcrumbs. Return to oven for 15-20min until golden and bubbling. Serve with crusty bread and a green salad, if you like. Serves 4 PER SERVING 459cals, 25g protein, 31g fat (14g saturates), 17g carbs (5g total sugars), 5g fibre