Plank grilling is perfect for small bites, finger foods and appetisers, because it’s easy to do and looks impressive. The plank serves for both cooking and serving.
If goat cheese isn’t your thing, a blue cheese such as gorgonzola would make a perfect replacement.
You’ll need:
• 10 fresh figs, halved
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces pancetta, sliced thin and cut into 1/2-inch strips lengthwise
• 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cedar planks, soaked for 1 hour prior to use
Step 1:
Place figs, cut side up, on a plate. Drizzle with Grand Marnier and season heavily with pepper and lightly with salt. Let sit for 15 minutes. Wrap each fig with one strip of pancetta and secure it with toothpick
Step 2:
Dice remaining pancetta. Place pancetta in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pancetta until crisp, 7-10 minutes. Transfer pancetta to paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
Step 3:
Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with grey ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes.
Place planks over hot side of the grill until they start to char and smoke. Flip planks over and move to cool side of grill and arrange figs on top. Sprinkle figs with goat cheese and crisped pancetta. Cover grill and cook until figs soften and uncooked pancetta browns, about 15 minutes.
Step 4:
Remove planks from grill. Drizzle figs with honey. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.
