Not as fiddly as you think and a tasty alternative to potatoes, try this easy scallop potato dish. Either serve as a main course or as an accompaniment to a meat or fish dish.

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons plain flour

3 cups of milk

4 lbs potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

Salt and pepper

1 tablespoon of freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a good shake of dry parmesan

• Serves 4
• Time to table - one and half hours
• Preheat oven to 220C/400F
• Lightly grease approx 13" by 9" glass or ceramic baking dish

1. Melt the butter in a pan. Add flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
2. With a wire whisk, gradually whisk in milk and keep the heat under the pan for 6 minutes or so until the mixture boils and then thickens, stirring constantly.
3. Stir in the potatoes, season with salt and pepper and oook for a further 5 minutes, stirring gently; remove from heat.
4. Pour the potato mixture to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly; sprinkle with Parmesan.
5. Cover with foil and bake for one hour.
6. Just before you are ready to serve, sprinkle some more parmesan cheese on the top of the potoates and grill until bubbling.