Microwave bacon, broccoli and potato ‘bake’ recipe
 A gorgeous creamy potato dish that makes a simple midweek supper. Not a bake in the strictest terms as it’s completely cooked in the microwave, but you can always pop it under the grill if you want a more traditional browned topping. This recipe is part of a Budget family microwave meal plan. In March 2023 it was costed at an average of £2.87 when checking prices at four UK supermarkets. It is designed to be made in conjunction with a low-cost store-cupboard. 700g/1lb 9oz potatoes, well scrubbed and cut into roughly 2.5cm/1in chunks1 onion, finely chopped3–4 rashers smoked back bacon, trimmed and cut into 1.5cm/¾in slices½ head broccoli, about 200g/7oz, cut into florets and halved100ml/3½fl oz hot chicken or vegetable stock, made with ½ stock cube100ml/3½fl oz double cream50g/1¾oz cheddar, finely gratedfreshly ground black pepper½ baguette or other crusty bread, to serve 700g/1lb 9oz potatoes, well scrubbed and cut into roughly 2.5cm/1in chunks 1 onion, finely chopped 3–4 rashers smoked back bacon, trimmed and cut into 1.5cm/¾in slices ½ head broccoli, about 200g/7oz, cut into florets and halved 100ml/3½fl oz hot chicken or vegetable stock, made with ½ stock cube 100ml/3½fl oz double cream 50g/1¾oz cheddar, finely grated freshly ground black pepper ½ baguette or other crusty bread, to serve Method Place the potatoes in a large, wide-based microwaveable dish. It will need to have a diameter of around 25cm/10in. Add the onion and toss with the potatoes. Cover with a microwaveable lid or dinner plate and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes (1000W) or 6 minutes 30 seconds (800W). Stir in the bacon and season with lots of black pepper. Cover and cook on HIGH for a further 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W) or until the potatoes are softened. Scatter the broccoli on top and toss with the bacon and potatoes. Pour over the stock, cover and cook on HIGH for 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W), or until the broccoli is just tender. Take care removing the lid as there will be lots of steam.Drizzle with the cream, sprinkle with the cheese and season with a little black pepper. Cook uncovered on HIGH for 2 minutes (1000W) or 2 minutes 30 seconds (800W), or until the cheese melts. Set aside.Cut the bread into four pieces, put on a microwaveable plate and cook uncovered on HIGH for 20–30 seconds or until warmed. Do not cook for too long or it will toughen. Serve the bread alongside the ‘bake’ for mopping up the creamy sauce. Place the potatoes in a large, wide-based microwaveable dish. It will need to have a diameter of around 25cm/10in. Add the onion and toss with the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large, wide-based microwaveable dish. It will need to have a diameter of around 25cm/10in. Add the onion and toss with the potatoes. Cover with a microwaveable lid or dinner plate and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes (1000W) or 6 minutes 30 seconds (800W). Stir in the bacon and season with lots of black pepper. Cover and cook on HIGH for a further 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W) or until the potatoes are softened. Cover with a microwaveable lid or dinner plate and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes (1000W) or 6 minutes 30 seconds (800W). Stir in the bacon and season with lots of black pepper. Cover and cook on HIGH for a further 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W) or until the potatoes are softened. Scatter the broccoli on top and toss with the bacon and potatoes. Pour over the stock, cover and cook on HIGH for 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W), or until the broccoli is just tender. Take care removing the lid as there will be lots of steam. Scatter the broccoli on top and toss with the bacon and potatoes. Pour over the stock, cover and cook on HIGH for 4 minutes (1000W) or 5 minutes (800W), or until the broccoli is just tender. Take care removing the lid as there will be lots of steam. Drizzle with the cream, sprinkle with the cheese and season with a little black pepper. Cook uncovered on HIGH for 2 minutes (1000W) or 2 minutes 30 seconds (800W), or until the cheese melts. Set aside. Drizzle with the cream, sprinkle with the cheese and season with a little black pepper. Cook uncovered on HIGH for 2 minutes (1000W) or 2 minutes 30 seconds (800W), or until the cheese melts. Set aside. Cut the bread into four pieces, put on a microwaveable plate and cook uncovered on HIGH for 20–30 seconds or until warmed. Do not cook for too long or it will toughen. Serve the bread alongside the ‘bake’ for mopping up the creamy sauce. Cut the bread into four pieces, put on a microwaveable plate and cook uncovered on HIGH for 20–30 seconds or until warmed. Do not cook for too long or it will toughen. Serve the bread alongside the ‘bake’ for mopping up the creamy sauce. Recipe tips You can use sliced chorizo, diced ham or salami instead of bacon to make this dish if preferred. For a vegetarian alternative, simply leave out the bacon. If you don’t have any cheddar, swap for any cheese you have handy. If using a stronger tasting cheese, such as Parmesan, you may need to use a little less. If you don’t have any broccoli, try swapping for sliced leeks or any leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, and adjust the cooking time if necessary.