Manchego Cheese Appetizer

My friend Sarah shared this with me the other day, along with a nice glass of red wine. It’s really simple, just some beautiful cheese with a bit of honey and some hand-ground coffee beans . . .  but it is a gorgeous combination of flavours.

Manchego is a Spanish cheese made with sheep’s milk. It is not a pungent cheese, but it’s got a great flavour. The sweetness of the honey and the bitterness of the coffee beans somehow pair perfectly with this cheese.

Sarah found the recipe in a Jamie Oliver cookbook.

What you need:

• a wedge of Manchego cheese
• honey – whatever you have in your house, or something fancy
• coffee beans (don’t use pre-ground beans)
• baguette (optional)

What you do:

1. Remove the cheese from the fridge at least an hour before serving
2. Use a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder to grind the coffee beans finely, then make a little pile of them on a decorative cutting board or plate.
3. Pour some honey into a small bowl, and place it on the board along with the cheese and coffee grounds.
4. To serve, cut a slice of cheese, then dip it in the honey, and use your fingers to sprinkle on a little coffee. So delicious!