This is John Ash’s recipe for a fun and easy one-dish dessert. Although there is some debate on what makes a “grunt,” the definition seems to be that grunts, which are also called slumps, are simmered rather than baked in the oven. They are usually made with berries and the name supposedly comes from the sound the berries make as they simmer!

　　

Ingredients

serves 6 to 8

　　8 cups fresh or thawed frozen unsweetened blackberries

　　3/4 cup sugar, or as needed

　　1/2 cup dry red wine or water

　　1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

　　

Dough

1 cup all-purpose flour

　　2 tablespoons sugar

　　1 teaspoon baking powder

　　1/2 teaspoon baking soda

　　1/8 teaspoon salt

　　2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

　　2/3 cup buttermilk (or a mixture of plain yogurt and skim milk or water), plus more as needed

　　2 tablespoons sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

　　Whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, crème fraîche, or sweetened yogurt, for serving

　　

Step 1

Prepare a medium heat fire (350° to 375°F) in a wood-fired oven, or in a cooker, grill, or campfire prepared for cooking with indirect heat.

　　

Step 2

Combine the berries, sugar, wine, and zest in a heavy, deep casserole and bring to a simmer over medium heat in a wood-fired oven or over indirect heat on a wood-fired cooker, grill, or campfire.

　　

Step 3

Meanwhile, make the dough by stirring the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with a whisk in a bowl. Stir in the melted butter. Stir in enough buttermilk to form a soft, wet dough.

　　

Step 4

Using a soup spoon, place heaping spoonfuls of the dough on top of the fruit. Make sure you have at least one per person. Sprinkle the dumplings with the cinnamon sugar. Tightly cover with a lid or a sheet of aluminum foil and simmer over medium-low heat until the dumplings are puffed and set, about 12 minutes.

　　

Step 5

To serve, spoon the warm grunt into serving bowls and spoon on the topping of your choice.

　　Reprinted with permission from Wood-Fired Cooking: Techniques and Recipes for the Grill, Backyard Oven, Fireplace, and Campfire by Mary Karlin, copyright © 2009. Photography copyright © 2009 by Ed Anderson. Published by Ten Speed Press.