Cedar plank grilling enhances the nutty, earthy flavour and character of the cheese. Plank grilling adds a subtle hint of smokiness to the dish while the cheese turns soft, warm, gooey and melty.
You’ll need
• 1 cedar plank
• Loaf of baguette style French bread
• ¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 cloves minced garlic
• ½ cup apricot preserves
• 1 x wheel of Brie cheese at room temperature
• 1 x peach pitted & sliced
• 1 x plum pitted & sliced
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• Fresh thyme sprigs
Step 1:
Soak your cedar gourmet grilling plank in water for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2:
Slice the bread diagonally into sixteen 1/4-inch slices.
Step 3:
For the herb oil, in a small bowl combine olive oil, thyme and garlic; set aside.
Step 4:
In a small saucepan, heat preserves until melted; cover and keep warm.
Step 5:
Heat grill to medium-high heat over direct heat. Place your plank on grill. Cover the grill and preheat plank for about 5 minutes, turning once. Pre-heating the plank allows it to begin releasing smoke and flavour.
Step 6:
Place Brie on preheated plank. Brush with some of the melted preserves.
Step 7:
Arrange the peach and plum slices on grill grate around plank. Cover and grill for 2 to 3 minutes or until fruit slices are slightly charred, turning once.
Arrange a few slices of peaches and plums on top of Brie. Add remaining fruit slices to plank around Brie. Brush remaining melted preserves over fruit.
Step 8:
Cover and grill for 10 to 15 minutes more or until Brie is melted. Remove plank from grill. Let stand while grilling toasts.
For the toasts, lightly brush baguette slices with herb oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place baguette slices on grill rack over direct heat. Grill for 3 minutes or until crisp and golden on both sides, turning once. Remove from grill.
Serve melted Brie on toasts, top with the fruit and enjoy!
