Candied Bacon With Cheesy French Toast

Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C (fan)/ gas 6

Slice your cherry tomatoes in half

Add your smoked streaky bacon to one side of a baking paper-lined baking tray (or two)

Sprinkle 1 tsp [1 1/2 tsp] [2 tsp] sugar over the bacon

Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the other side of the tray[s] and drizzle with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper

Put the tray[s] in the oven for 15-20 min or until the bacon is golden and the tomatoes have softened

Meanwhile, heat a pot over a medium heat

Add your tomato paste, balsamic vinegar and onion marmalade with 2 tbsp [3 tbsp] [4 tbsp] cold water and a pinch of salt

Cook for 3-4 min or until thickened – this is your easy balsamic ketchup

Once done, set aside to cool

Once the ketchup is done, slice your ciabatta[s] in half

Crack your egg[s] into a large bowl and add 130ml [190ml] [250ml] milk and your grated Italian hard cheese

Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and whisk everything together until smooth – this is your cheesy mixture

Dip the ciabatta halves into the cheesy mixture until it's been absorbed by the bread

Tip: You may need to double dip to absorb all of the mixture!

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a generous knob of butter over a medium-high heat

Once melted, add the soaked ciabatta and cook for 3-4 min on each side or until golden and crisp – this is your cheesy French toast

Tip: You may need to do this in batches!

Whilst the bread is cooking, chop your chives finely

Wash your salad, then pat them dry with kitchen paper