Luxury bread sauce

Preparation: 10 minutes, plus infusing time.
Cooking: 20 minutes
Serve: 6-8

1 medium onion peeled but leave root intact
4-6 cloves
2 bay leaves
570ml whole milk
200g fresh white breadcrumbs, crusts removed
pinch of grated nutmeg
50g butter
4 tbsp double cream

Stick the cloves into the onion. Place the onion and bay leaves in a small pan with the milk. Bring to the boil, and then simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse for one hour – or better still overnight.

Remove the onion and bay leaves. Heat the milk gently and stir in the breadcrumbs and nutmeg. Continue heating for 3-4 minutes until piping hot. Stir in the cream and butter and check the seasoning. Add more milk if it is too thick. Serve warm topped with a knob of butter and a sprinkling of nutmeg.

Tip: Bread sauce can be made in advance and just warmed before serving.