Creamy Hokkaido Bacon Stew

A Japanese-inspired comfort stew with crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and kale in a creamy miso-butter broth. Warming, rich, and deeply satisfying.

Servings: 2 | Prep: 15 min | Cook: 35 min | Calories: 520 per serving

Ingredients

Stew

• 150g sliced bacon, cut into 2cm pieces
• 400g potatoes (Yukon gold or similar), peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into rounds
• 150g kale, stems removed, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 400ml chicken stock
• 200ml milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
• 2 tbsp miso paste (white or red)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 100g frozen corn or peas (optional)

To Serve

• Green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Steamed rice or crusty bread

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 6-7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tbsp of bacon fat in the pot (drain excess if needed).

Tuscan White Bean & Bacon Rigatoni

A hearty pasta with crispy bacon, creamy white beans, and wilted kale in a garlicky tomato sauce. Simple, satisfying, and on the table in 30 minutes.

Servings: 2 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 25 min | Calories: 550 per serving

Ingredients

Pasta

• 200g rigatoni
• Salt for pasta water

Sauce

• 100g bacon strips, cut into 2cm pieces
• 150g dried white beans (cannellini or borlotti), soaked overnight and cooked until tender (or 1 can/400g, drained, if short on time)
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 200ml passata
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 100g kale, stems removed, roughly chopped
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

To Finish

• Parmesan or pecorino, grated
• Olive oil for drizzling
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 dl of pasta water before draining.