While I struggle to get to grips with my sweet tooth and portion size following the Christmas, New Year, marriage separation anniversary and 4 birthdays cakes BLIP (so I actually have some weight-loss results to post on the blog) here is a tasty and simple recipe.

This no-fail recipe is bound to have the family kissing your feet (even if they are stinky) and pledging a life of devotion to your 1940’s cooking if you’ll “just-cook-some-more-of-that-again”..  It’s like some sort of cat nip for kids (they need it, they want it, they have to possess it…) except it calms and satisfies them and stops them demanding potato chips for at least 3 hours. This HAS to be a good thing.

It’s like some sort of cat-nip for kids…

This particular recipe is something I have just put together and is not out of any particular cook book however it does use my rations fairly wisely as well as lots of potato- the Ministry of Food would be so proud of me..

Potato and Cheese Bake

• 3 large peeled potatoes per person (peelings can be used in a stew)
• generous portion of butter or margarine (if rations allow)
• 4 oz of strong cheese (use less if you are running low)
• generous amounts of dried or fresh herbs (common herbs at the time would have been rosemary and thyme)
• a little milk
• salt and pepper.
• Note: I used 12 large potatoes to serve 4 generously using a 10 x 8 inch pan for baking.

Method.

1. Peel potatoes and wash.
2. Cut into 1/2 inch chunks.
3. Place into salted cold water and bring to boil on stove, simmering until chunks are tender.
4. Drain well and return to saucepan.
5. Add in a large blob of butter (the bigger the better if rations allow).
6. Move around until melted.
7. Thoroughly mash until smooth.
8. Taste potatoes adding plenty of salt and pepper until you get the required taste.
9. Add a little milk and mix with wooden spoon until you get the required consistency.
10. Add into baking pan and spread out evenly.
11. Rough top with a fork.
12. Grate 4 oz of strong/sharp cheese.
13. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
14. Finally sprinkle generous quantities of herbs, lots of thyme and a little rosemary work well together. Don’t skimp!
15. Place in pre-heated oven at 200 C for 25 minutes and finish off under a hot grill/broiler for 5 so the top browns.
16. Remove, let stand for 5 minutes or so and then serve. Goes well with meat, veg and gravy.

Serves 4 generously!

And now you have your family subdued and totally under your spell it’s time to put your feet up, open a good book and savour the quietness of your home….