Years ago Ken and I were invited to dinner and the family put out a baked brie for snacking on while socializing until the meal was ready. That was my first baked brie and I have thought about it with frightening frequency ever since. Now I am under no illusion that baked brie is new or innovative or even particularly fancy. To test my theory that baked brie was probably a food yokels thought of as classy I did some internet searching to see where the recipes were to be found. Paula Deen, Sandra Lee and Rachel Ray all have baked brie recipes. Sort of proves my point right there.
However, I am here to state for the record- so what? I still love it and I am going to tell you right now that I made one last night and there's some left over in my fridge and it's taking all of my will power to not eat it. So if you're having people over and you want something delicious and not at all healthy make a baked brie. Some of your more hoity toity friends might sneer but who cares? It's brie and puff pastry, for heaven sake! You will be too busy eating to notice any sneers.
Here's the basic idea: buy some brie. This can range from an affordable $6 Le President wheel from Costco to something much more expensive from your go to fancy cheese store. Buy puff pastry in the frozen food section of your grocery store. You want some kind of jam to go with it. I like Bonne Maman apricot or fig. You can also add pecans or almonds.
Thaw the puff pastry on the counter. You may only need one sheet but chances are you'll need more- a wheel of brie is usually pretty big. You can split the brie in half, making two thinner circles and fill the middle with nuts and brown sugar or just leave it whole. Spread jam on in the center of the puff pastry. Don't be stingy. Place the brie on top and wrap the pastry around the brie. If the pastry is too small cut a circle out of the second sheet of puff pastry, sealing the edges. Flip the brie over and bake at 350 degrees until the puff pastry is golden brown. Mine took about 25 minutes with a little broiler time at the end. Keep an eye on it! Let it stand for a few minutes before cutting in to it. Serve with crackers and fruit- like apples and grapes.
However, I am here to state for the record- so what? I still love it and I am going to tell you right now that I made one last night and there's some left over in my fridge and it's taking all of my will power to not eat it. So if you're having people over and you want something delicious and not at all healthy make a baked brie. Some of your more hoity toity friends might sneer but who cares? It's brie and puff pastry, for heaven sake! You will be too busy eating to notice any sneers.
Here's the basic idea: buy some brie. This can range from an affordable $6 Le President wheel from Costco to something much more expensive from your go to fancy cheese store. Buy puff pastry in the frozen food section of your grocery store. You want some kind of jam to go with it. I like Bonne Maman apricot or fig. You can also add pecans or almonds.
Thaw the puff pastry on the counter. You may only need one sheet but chances are you'll need more- a wheel of brie is usually pretty big. You can split the brie in half, making two thinner circles and fill the middle with nuts and brown sugar or just leave it whole. Spread jam on in the center of the puff pastry. Don't be stingy. Place the brie on top and wrap the pastry around the brie. If the pastry is too small cut a circle out of the second sheet of puff pastry, sealing the edges. Flip the brie over and bake at 350 degrees until the puff pastry is golden brown. Mine took about 25 minutes with a little broiler time at the end. Keep an eye on it! Let it stand for a few minutes before cutting in to it. Serve with crackers and fruit- like apples and grapes.
Comments
Here's what Mindy isn't telling you, everyone: she cut little autumn leaves out of pastry and put them on top of the puff pastry shell! Total overachiever.
Of course, it's February not autumn, but A for effort.