One-dish meals have always been popular in our household, not only because they are quick and easy to make, but because they can also accommodate a wide range of ingredients.

It's actually quite amazing what one can do with a handful of mushrooms, a few potatoes, an onion or two, a few chunks of chicken or ham or chopped bacon, a few pieces of tomato and something green and tasty like asparagus or leeks.

I'm particularly partial to the combination of leeks, potatoes and mushrooms and this often forms the foundation of a casual big one-pot meal with friends.

What I like about this type of food is that you can shove it into the oven, have a few glasses of wine and a giggle with friends and when the food is done all you have to do is whip it out of the oven, plonk it on the table with a crusty bread, a simple salad and more wine, and that's it — no hours of slaving over hot a stove.

For today's dish we will be combining white mushrooms, onion, potatoes, leeks and bacon and remember, you can add or subtract ingredients according to your own preference.

To serve four portions you need:

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 200°C.

In a large pot bring the stock and the wine to the boil, add the potatoes, leeks and onion and boil for five minutes, then drain well, but reserving the stock.

Brush the oven dish liberally with olive oil, then scatter the potato slices, onion, leeks and mushrooms into the dish and sprinkle with remaining olive oil, salt, pepper, 160ml of the stock and wine mixture.

Spoon cream over the top and add the bacon pieces.

Cover and place in oven for 20 minutes.

Remove lid and bake for a further 20 minutes until bacon is crispy.

Serve on its own, or with a salad, or with fish, chicken, ham or pork sausages.

Optional extras: You can substitute the olive oil with butter and you can leave out the cream.

You can also substitute the wine with an equal amount of stock.

For a little bite you can add chopped red or green chillies.

Freshly crushed garlic is also nice in a dish of this nature, as is a squeeze of lemon juice, so experiment and have fun.

Wine recommendation:

Mike of Wine Concepts suggests you try the Cederberg 'Sustainable' Rosé 2008, which costs R45.50, to go with this dish.

Lovely delicate salmon colour, this dry Rosé made from Shiraz grapes has subtle raspberry aromas, with integrated flavours of raspberry and red cherry with a delicious crisp finish.

To order this, contact Wine Concepts.