Potted cheese with bacon and shallot

Step 1

First clarify the butter. Put it in a small saucepan and melt. When it starts foaming, skim off the foam until you can see how it has separated into two distinct layers. Strain off the clear layer to a separate container, discarding the milky layer remaining in the pan.

Step 2

Put one tablespoon of the clarified butter into a frying pan. Add the bacon. Cook until crisp and well browned in places, then remove. Add the shallot and fry on a medium high heat until softened and well caramelised. Remove from the heat.

Step 3

Finely chop the bacon and reserve a couple of tablespoons – also reserve a teaspoon of the fried shallot. Put the remaining bacon and shallot in a food processor, then pulse until it has broken down to a paste.

Step 4

Add the cheese, thyme leaves, sherry, mustard powder and 50ml/2fl oz of the clarified butter. Keep processing until you have a fairly smooth paste, stopping to scrape down the sides until it starts to churn properly. When you have a smooth paste, stir in the reserved bacon and shallot.

Step 5

Transfer to a bowl or earthenware pot. Cover with the last of the clarified butter.