Cheesy Leek and Ham

I found this recipe about 30 years ago, when I was living in England. I was a young bride, not able to cook anything at all. I bought a tin of cooked Ham, and this recipe was on the back, so I made it! I passed it on to my mother, who loved it too. It is quick and easy, tasty, a is good for almost any occasion, from casual family meal to the "I'm not cooking tonight" evenings!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 1 dish

Ingredients

• 3  large leeks
• 8  slices cooked ham
• 2  onions, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2  cups  whole milk
• 3  tablespoons butter or 3  tablespoons margarine
• 3  tablespoons plain flour
• 2  cups  matured cheddar cheese
•  black pepper, ground,to taste
•  salt, ground,to taste
• 2  cups  breadcrumbs
• 1  cup  extra cheese (or less)

Directions

1. Gently fry onion and sliced Leeks in a little butter or margerine, until soft.
2. About 2 minutes.
3. Remove from pan, reserving juices, and place in an ovenproof casserole dish.
4. Roughly chop Ham slices and add to Leek and Onions.
5. Make a white sauce, using the pan juices and a little extra butter- about 1 tablespoon.
6. Add Cheese to the white sauce, and stir until it has melted.
7. Grind salt and black pepper into the white sauce, to taste.
8. Pour the sauce over the leeks and onion and Ham.
9. Top with breadcrumbs.
10. Add extra cheese to the top.
11. Place in a 180 degree Centigrade,pre-heated oven, for 20 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are a little crisp and cheese has melted.
12. Serve with boiled new potatoes, a green salad and Peas.