Courgette, bacon & brie gratin

• olive oil↗3 tbsp tbsp
• courgettes↗600g g

  sliced on the diagonal

• rashers of smoked back bacon↗4

  chopped

• onion↗1

  chopped

• small garlic clove↗1

  crushed

• risotto rice↗200g g
• dry white wine↗150ml ml
• hot vegetable stock↗850ml ml

  made with bouillon powder

• pack blue or plain brie↗160g g

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large heavy saucepan, tip in the courgettes and fry for 10-12 minutes until tinged golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

2. 2

   Heat the remaining oil in the pan and add the bacon, onion and garlic. Cook over a low heat for about 6-8 minutes or until softened and lightly golden. Tip in the rice and stir until the grains start to pop.

3. 3

   Pour in the wine and stand back while it sizzles and absorbs into the rice. Stir well, then pour in about one third of the hot stock and increase the heat to moderate. Cook, stirring frequently, until the stock is absorbed. Repeat with the remaining stock, in two batches. This should take about 20 minutes, and the rice should be tender.

4. 4

   Preheat the grill on its highest setting. Remove the rice from the heat, gently fold in the courgettes and season to taste. Tip everything into a big flameproof dish. Slice the brie and lay on top of the rice. Put the dish under the hot grill for 3-4 minutes until the brie is bubbling.