recipe- [Added July, 28, 2008]

okay, so we've been away, but now we're back, with some recipes on a budget.  this is the first one, and it comes from the fantastic Jocasta Innes and her legendary Pauper's Cookbook.  

Spinach and Bacon Salad with Croutons

Serves 4 

450g of spinach leaves

1 thick slice of back bacon, cubed, or,

4 rashers of streaky (all smoke or unsmoked depending on your preference)

1 tablespoon white or red wine vinegar

one thick slice of bread

1 fat clove of garlic, halved

1 tablespoon of olive oil

one knob of butter

Pick over the spinach and take out any nasty bits and coarse stalks.  Leave in cold water for an hour to crisp up and then make the croutons.  Cut the crust off the bread and rub it with the garlic.  Dice the bread into cubes.  Heat the oil and butter together and fry the bread cubes until golden.  Remove from the pan and keep warm.  Put the bacon into the pan and fry until crisp.  Drain the spinach and mix together with the bread and bacon.  Put the vinegar in the pan and warm, mixing with the crispy bacon leftovers, then pour over the salad.  This is a great, cheap starter and can be made pretty lush with three fried quails' eggs per person if you aren't on a budget.  

p.s.  If you haven't got this cookbook, look out for it in a second hand bookshop.  it's worth every penny.