Asparagus mac 'n' cheese with bacon crumble

Ingredients 

• 8 rashers streaky bacon
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 150g Cheddar cheese
• 300g macaroni
• 2 bunches British asparagus (spears trimmed and cut in half)
• 40g butter
• 40g plain flour
• 400ml milk
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

Method

1. Heat the grill and cook the bacon on each side until very crisp. Chop into small chunks and combine with the breadcrumbs and a quarter of the cheese, then set aside.
2. Boil the kettle to fill a large pan. When boiling vigorously in the pan, add a pinch of salt and the macaroni. Cook for 9 minutes, then add the asparagus and cook for a further 2 minutes.
3. While the macaroni is cooking, melt the butter in a small, thick-based saucepan, sprinkle in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook while stirring for a minute, then add the milk a little at a time, stirring continuously so it’s absorbed into the flour and slowly makes a smooth sauce. If you get any lumps, don’t panic – just beat vigorously with the wooden spoon and they’ll disperse. Stir in the mustard, some black pepper and the remaining cheese.
4. Once the macaroni and asparagus are cooked, drain well and return them to the pan. Pour over the cheese sauce and stir to coat well. Tip the macaroni into a large oven dish, sprinkle over the breadcrumb mixture and return to the grill for the top to melt and brown.