Step 1

Soak the beans overnight in plenty of water.

Step 2

Bring the beans to the boil in 1.2 litres/2 pints of water and boil until tender. Reserve the cooking water.

Step 3

In a large frying pan, heat the oil and butter and sweat the onion until softened.

Step 4

Fry the bacon until cooked.

Step 5

Mash the beans as fine as you like, then mix them with the bacon and onion mixture.

Step 6

Add some of the reserved cooking water to the beans to give you the same consistency as double cream. Serve.