BAKED CHEESE WITH WARMED BLUEBERRIES, THYME AND HONEY

Warming the blueberries, thyme, citrus zest and honey creates a sweet-savory syrup with the purple berry juices. It’s an easy dish to prepare to share when friends drop in. Serve over baked cheese that gooey and ready for dipping.

Serves 6 as a starter

200g Main Ridge Dairy Cilia

1 tablespoon extra olive oil

200g fresh or frozen blueberries

2 tablespoons honey

Finely grated zest of a lemon, or orange

1 tablespoon verjuice (or apple cider vinegar)

6 thyme sprigs, plus extra for garnish

Toasted or crusty sough dough bread, to serve 

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).

Score the across the top of the cheese round in a criss-cross pattern about 1cm apart.  Brush all over with olive oil and place in a small oven proof dish, scored-side facing up. Bake for 10 minutes until golden around the edges and the centre is warmed through. The centre becomes gooey.

Meanwhile, place the blueberries, honey, zest and thyme in a small saucepan over a low-medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes gently stirring occasionally to combine, being careful not to break too many berries. Increase the heat to medium, add the verjuice and then immediately turn off the heat.

Pour the hot berries over the baked cheese. Garnish with extra thyme sprigs. Serve immediately accompanied with grilled or crusty fresh bread, spreading the gooey cheese and berries over.

Recipe by Fiona Hammond, March 2026.