Quick Gratin of Beans and Bacon

From Nigel Slater a quick alternative to slow cooked bean dishes. Blissful comfort food for those chilly nights, and quick too!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 3

Ingredients

• 1  large  thickly sliced onion
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  teaspoon fresh thyme
• 6  slices smoked bacon
• 2 (400 g) cans haricot beans
• 200  g creme fraiche
• 3  tablespoons  grated fresh parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. pour oil into a shallow pan and cook the onions till soft and golden.
3. stir thyme into the onions and cut bacon into short pieces and add to the pan, stirring occasionally until pale gold and fragrant.
4. drain the beans and rinse under cold water.
5. tip into the onion mix and add the creme fraiche and stir till bubbling.
6. check the seasoning, you will probably need both salt and pepper.
7. transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle parmesan over the top. Bake for approximately 30 mins or until top is crisp and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.