Brie Me

Image via Wikipedia

Nothing says “holiday” and “party” like a warm, baked Brie. 

I love incorporating fruit and nuts with this cheese.  They pair so lovingly together.  This recipe isn’t just easy and fast, but it uses things you should already have in your fridge and cabinets.  There are so many variations of this combo, that you can bring the same basic dish to every party — but it will be a bit different, each time.

A quick, easy and tasty appetizer

Baked Brie with Fruit & Nuts

• 1 medium round of Brie, slice the rind off the top
• 2 tablespoons jam, I used apricot for this one (fig, raspberry or pear would be delicious, as well)
• 1 tablespoon dried fruit, here I used pomegranate craisins, but golden raisins, apricots, figs, etc. would also work great
• 1 tablespoon nuts, in the pic I used almonds, but walnuts or pecans would also be good

Place the Brie in a round, oven-safe dish.  Top with jam and craisins and put in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for about 5 minutes — or until it begins to soften and melt.  Meanwhile toast the nuts.  Remove the Brie from the oven, top with toasted nuts and serve immediately with crackers, fresh fruit slices and/or torn pieces of a baguette.

I promise this dish will be the first one empty at the party!

Related Articles

• Spare Added Sugar; Try Dried Fruits (wholefoodsmarket.com)
• Beyond Baked Brie: New Uses for a Wheel of Cheese (thekitchn.com)
• Successful entertaining begins with a plan, good food and cocktails (commercialappeal.com)