Macaroni cheese and ham bites

It's the countdown to party season! Try these homemade mac and cheese bites - they're the perfect finger food to please your guests, Plus, they feature a delicious cheese from our Love Local range too.

SERVES: 24 PREP TIME: 15 MINS COOK TIME: 35 MINS

Ingredients...

• 200g macaroni

• 50g butter

• 50g plain flour

• 400ml milk

• 100g Lymn Bank Farm Just Jane mature cheddar, grated

• 2 tsp wholegrain mustard

• 100g sliced gammon, chopped

• 3 spring onions, finely sliced

• 15g fresh white breadcrumbs

Method:

1. Cook the macaroni according to the pack instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring.

3. Stir in the milk and bring to the boil, stirring continuously. Cook until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese, mustard, gammon, spring onions and cooked macaroni. Season with plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Tip onto a plate and leave to cool.

4. Preheat oven to 180ºC/fan 160ºC/Gas 4. Lightly oil each section of two 12-section non-stick, mini-cupcake trays. Spoon a dessertspoonful of the macaroni mixture into each section. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, if desired, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Leave to cool for a few minutes to firm up. Carefully lift out with a round-bladed knife and serve warm.

TIP: The mac and cheese mixture can be prepared up to one day in advance. Just spoon it into a plastic box and chill.