Grilled Apricots with Whipped Goat Cheese & Thyme Honey

this RECIPE

Description

Warm grilled apricots sit atop a cloud of whipped goat cheese, finished with thyme-infused honey and golden toasted almonds. An elegant, seasonal appetizer or side that blends smoky-sweet, creamy, and nutty in every bite.

Ingredients

For the Grilled Apricots

• 4 ripe but firm apricots, halved and pitted
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Pinch of sea salt

For the Whipped Goat Cheese

• 150g (5 oz) soft goat cheese
• 2 tbsp cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Salt & pepper, to taste

The Thyme-Honey Glaze

• 3 tbsp honey
• 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme

Garnish

• 2 tbsp sliced almonds, toasted until golden
• Extra thyme leaves or edible flowers (optional)

Instructions

1. Grill the Apricots 🍑
   Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high. Brush apricots with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Grill cut-side down for 2–3 minutes until caramelized with clear grill marks. Set aside.
2. Whip the Goat Cheese 🧀
   In a mixing bowl or food processor, whip goat cheese with cream/yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and fluffy. Chill until ready to use.
3. Make the Thyme-Honey Glaze 🌿
   In a small saucepan, warm honey with thyme sprigs over low heat for 3–5 minutes to infuse. Remove from heat and let steep until slightly cooled.
4. Assemble the Dish ✨
   Spoon and swirl the whipped goat cheese onto a serving plate. Arrange grilled apricots on top.
5. Drizzle & Garnish 🌼
   Generously drizzle with thyme-honey glaze. Scatter toasted almonds and garnish with extra thyme or edible flowers. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Use peaches or nectarines as a variation. Add crushed pink peppercorns for a hint of heat, or swap almonds with pistachios for a richer crunch.

Why You’ll Love It

• Perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and herbaceous
  The smoky grilled apricots bring out their natural sweetness, while the whipped goat cheese adds a tangy richness, all lifted by a fragrant thyme-honey drizzle.
• Stunning and effortless seasonal showstopper
  This dish looks like a gourmet creation but comes together in under 20 minutes—ideal for summer entertaining, brunch boards, or elegant starters.

Helpful Tips

• Pick the right apricots: Look for apricots that are ripe but still firm to the touch. Overripe ones will fall apart on the grill, while underripe ones won’t caramelize or release their sweet aroma properly. Halve and pit them just before grilling to keep them fresh and juicy.
• Use a hot, clean grill or grill pan: Preheat the surface well and make sure it’s clean to get those beautiful, defined grill marks without sticking. Brushing the apricots lightly with olive oil helps prevent burning and enhances the flavor.
• Chill the whipped goat cheese: Once whipped, refrigerate the mixture for 10–15 minutes if time allows. This not only improves the texture—making it even creamier and more mousse-like—but also helps it hold its shape beautifully when plated.
• Infuse honey gently, not aggressively: Warming the honey with thyme over very low heat helps the herb release its oils without overpowering the sweetness. Let it steep after turning off the heat for a deeper infusion. You can even prepare it ahead of time and rewarm slightly before serving.
• Toast the almonds fresh: Toasting sliced almonds in a dry pan or oven brings out their aroma and crunch. Do this just before serving for optimal texture and flavor. Keep a close eye—sliced nuts burn quickly!
• Assemble just before serving: This dish is all about contrast—warm fruit, cool creamy cheese, sweet syrup, and crunchy toppings. For best texture and temperature balance, assemble everything just before serving and enjoy immediately.
• Add a finishing touch: Garnishing with fresh thyme or edible flowers isn’t just decorative. The floral and herbal notes elevate the dish visually and aromatically, making it feel restaurant-worthy with minimal effort.

Substitutions and Variations

• Swap the fruit: No apricots? Try halved nectarines, peaches, or even fresh figs. Peaches work especially well for grilling and offer a similarly sweet, floral note. Figs bring a richer depth and pair beautifully with goat cheese and honey.
• Change up the cheese: Not a fan of goat cheese? Use whipped ricotta for a milder, creamier base, or mascarpone for a rich, velvety texture. Labneh also works well and adds a subtle tang.
• Add heat: For a sweet-meets-spicy twist, infuse the honey with a pinch of chili flakes or drizzle with hot honey. The contrast of spice with the creamy cheese and sweet fruit is especially delicious.
• Make it nut-free: Skip the almonds if you’re avoiding nuts. Instead, sprinkle with toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even crushed crispy quinoa for crunch.
• Try flavored oils: Instead of plain olive oil, brush the apricots with lemon-infused olive oil or a touch of walnut oil to add a subtle nutty layer.
• Add citrus zest: A little grated lemon or orange zest over the top adds brightness and ties together the sweet and savory elements.
• Make it dessert-style: Want to push it more into dessert territory? Add a drizzle of vanilla or orange blossom syrup, and serve with a shortbread cookie or toasted brioche on the side.
• Herb twist: Thyme is lovely here, but rosemary or basil also work beautifully, offering different aromatic directions while still pairing well with the other ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

• As a starter for summer dinners: Serve these grilled apricots on individual plates with a few arugula leaves or microgreens for a refined first course. A light drizzle of balsamic reduction can add even more depth.
• As part of a cheese or grazing board: Add them to a wooden platter alongside aged cheeses, charcuterie, olives, crusty bread, and fresh berries. The sweet-savory balance ties everything together beautifully.
• On toasted sourdough or flatbread: Turn this into a canapé by spreading the whipped goat cheese on small toasted slices of sourdough or grilled flatbread, topping each with a grilled apricot half and a touch of honey glaze.
• Paired with wine: A crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light rosé complements the tangy goat cheese and sweet apricot flavors. For a richer experience, pair with a chilled dessert wine or aged sherry.
• As a brunch side: This dish pairs wonderfully with quiches, herbed egg dishes, or fresh fruit salads. Add a soft-boiled egg and you’re looking at a full Mediterranean-inspired brunch plate.
• With a hint of spice: If serving to a crowd that enjoys bold flavors, add a light dusting of Aleppo pepper or smoked paprika just before serving to give a gentle warmth without overwhelming the natural sweetness.
• Elegant passed appetizer: Serve the apricots skewered with a dollop of whipped goat cheese on top for an easy-to-hold, mess-free party bite. Garnish each skewer with a tiny thyme sprig or microgreen for a polished look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep components in advance: whip the goat cheese up to 2 days ahead and store it chilled; infuse the honey a day ahead and gently rewarm before serving. Grill the apricots just before assembling to enjoy them warm and juicy.

Can I serve this cold?
While the dish is best slightly warm for contrast, it also works beautifully at room temperature. If serving cold, let the apricots cool fully and allow the whipped cheese to soften slightly before plating.

What’s the best way to serve this?
It works well plated individually as an elegant appetizer or styled on a large platter for a shareable starter. Add crusty bread or crostini on the side for scooping up the creamy cheese and honey-drizzled fruit.

Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
Fresh thyme is ideal for infusing delicate herbal flavor into the honey. If needed, use a small pinch of dried thyme, but be aware it’s more concentrated—use sparingly and strain well.

Is it kid-friendly?
Yes, kids tend to enjoy the sweetness of the grilled fruit and honey. If you’re concerned about strong goat cheese flavor, swap it with whipped cream cheese or ricotta for a milder version.

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Conclusion

This dish brings together everything you love about summer: ripe stone fruit, creamy cheese, golden honey, and fragrant herbs—all in a plate that feels luxurious but takes barely 20 minutes to prepare. Whether served as a starter, part of a grazing board, or a light brunch dish, it’s the kind of recipe that leaves an impression with minimal effort.

Elegant, seasonal, and surprisingly easy—this is one of those recipes that looks like fine dining but feels like home.

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