Spring bake with fennel, Swiss chard, Taleggio & thyme

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C, gas mark 3. Butter a large ovenproof dish. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat, then add the Swiss chard stems and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes, until tender, then add the leaves and sauté for 2 more minutes. Season.

2. In a bowl, mix together the cream, vegetable stock and a good pinch of salt. Peel and slice the potatoes, then rinse with cold water. Layer ½ the potatoes in the prepared dish, then ½ the fennel. Add the sautéed chard and ¾ of the Tallegio. Pour over ½ the cream mixture and sprinkle with ¹/₃ of the thyme. Add another layer of potatoes and fennel. Pour over the remaining cream mixture, then sprinkle over another ¹/₃ of the thyme and some salt. Cover the dish with baking parchment, press it down and put another tray on top to keep the mixture under pressure while baking.

3. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, then uncover and add the remaining Taleggio. Increase the oven temperature to 220ºC, gas mark 7. Bake for another 15 minutes, until brown and crispy on top. Finely chop the reserved fennel fronds and scatter over the bake, along with the remaining thyme, just before serving.