Warm Winter Cheeseboard by Abby Allen

Baron Bigod is one of the great British cheeses a raw milk Brie-style from a single farm in Suffolk, with a mushroomy rind and a centre that turns properly molten when it meets heat. Abby Allen has built an entire warm cheeseboard around it, and the result is the kind of sharing dish that stops conversation.

The whole thing goes on the Asado Grill. The flames add a subtle smokiness to the cheese and the accompaniments grapes, figs, nuts, honey, fresh herbs that you simply don't get from an oven. It comes together quickly, looks spectacular, and tastes even better than it looks.

If you're cooking indoors, a conventional oven works too. But if the Grill is lit, use it.

INGREDIENTS:
  • Baron Bigod
  • tablespoons Honey
  • 2 bunchesRed or black grapes
  • 4 Figs
  • 50g Walnuts
  • A few sprigs Rosemary
  • A few sprigs Thyme
To Serve
  • 1 Sourdough loaf
  • 1 Pain de Campagne
  • A selection of Crackers
Method

Light the Somerset Grill, allow the wood to turn to coals and fall into the cooking area.

Take a large cast iron pan and to it add the grapes and figs. Place the pan directly over a low-medium heat away from any flames and cook for around 5-6 minutes.  

Once the fruit has started to just give, remove the pan from the heat and squish in the cheese. Sprinkle over the walnuts and herbs and place back over the fire.  

Watch as the cheese begins to melt around the edges. Once this has begun, drizzle over your first 2 tablespoons of honey. Allow the cheese to vigorously bubble and the fruit to collapse and combine with the aromatic herbs, this may take around 7-8 minutes.  

Once the cheese is volcanic, gooey and gorgeous, remove from the heat and decently drizzle with a further 3-4 spoons of honey.