Ultimate Mac and Cheese - Serves 4 - 6

We've added bacon and beer to our mac and cheese - this had to be the ultimate comfort dinner! You can use whichever crackling you like to top it, but we think BBQ is a winner.

Piggin Ingredients:

• 125g butter
• 2 leeks, finely sliced
• 75g bacon lardons
• 400g macaroni pasta
• 100g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 200ml pale ale
• 1 litre whole milk
• 150g strong Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
• 125g Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 75g BBQ pork crackling
• Salt & pepper to season

Recipe:

Heat 25g of butter in a large frying pan, and gently fry the leeks until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the lardons and fry for 5 minutes until turning crisp. Set aside. Bring a large pan of water to the boil; cook the macaroni for 5 - 8 minutes until just tender, then drain. 

Meanwhile preheat the grill to medium - high. melt the remaining 100g of butter in a large pan, stir in the flour and mustard powder, and cook for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat, and gradually stir in the beer followed by the milk. 

Return the pan to the heat, and bring to the boil, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Stir in most of the cheese and chives, followed by the leek mixture and cooked pasta, season to taste. Pour into an ovenproof dish. Scatter over the crackling and remaining cheese and chives and grill for 5 - 10 minutes until golden and bubbling.