Frederic Melton
Brie is a soft, creamy French cheese with a delicate flavour and a rich mouthfeel. It is a staple at any memorable gathering and can be served as an appetizer, dessert, or part of the main course. When serving brie on a cheese platter, it is important to let it reach room temperature to unlock its full depth of aroma and flavour. It is also recommended to cut some wedges ahead of time to give guests an idea of portion size and to avoid cutting into triangles, as the centre is often the most flavourful. In terms of pairings, brie goes well with baguette, crackers, fruits such as apples, grapes, or pears, and sweet sides like honey or jam. For a more substantial pairing, try nuts like pecans or candied walnuts, or serve alongside other cheese options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese temperature | Room temperature |
| Rind | Edible, but some prefer to trim it |
| Cutting technique | Cut the wheel in half, then into small slices |
| Pairings | Fruits, crackers, honey, jam, bread, meat, nuts, olives, pickled vegetables |
| Drinks | Champagne, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Scotch Ale, Stout, Porter, Pilsner, fruit juices |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right brie
When choosing the right Brie, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to decide whether to buy a whole wheel or wedges. Buying a whole wheel can make for an impressive presentation, especially if you plan to use a creative cutting technique to shape the Brie. If you're serving a large group, a whole wheel ensures everyone can enjoy the cheese at its optimal freshness, as cutting into the cheese halts the ripening process.
Whole wheels can be more challenging to cut, so wedges may be preferable if you're looking for convenience. Wedges are also a good option if you want to include multiple cheeses on your platter, as they take up less space.
When selecting your Brie, look for a firm outside and a slightly bouncy, resilient interior. This indicates the cheese is ripe. Underripe Brie will feel stiff to the touch, while overripe Brie may be creamier and almost runny.
The rind of Brie is edible and provides a nice textural contrast to the creamy interior. Some people prefer to cut it off, but if you want to include it, look for a thick, white rind.
Finally, consider the flavour of your Brie. Brie is known for its mild, creamy, and sumptuous flavour. The French traditionally serve Brie with baguette or another crusty bread that won't overpower the cheese. If you want to highlight the cheese's flavour, choose plain crackers or pair it with something acidic like apples, grapes, or pears to bring out its velvety texture.
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Cutting and serving brie
Brie is a soft, creamy French cheese with a hard, edible rind. It is produced as a wheel and can be purchased whole or in wedges. The cheese is mild, nutty, and buttery, making it a common addition to cheese plates or charcuterie platters.
Before serving, it is best to let the brie reach room temperature. This will make the cheese easier to cut and improve its flavour and texture. When cutting the cheese, use a sharp knife to slice the wheel in half, then cut each half into small slices or wedges. Avoid cutting the cheese into triangles, as the centre is often the most flavourful. Instead, cut the cheese along the side to ensure that all your guests get to try all parts of the cheese.
When serving brie on a cheese platter, presentation is important. Fan out the wedges so that they slightly overlap, and place a cheese knife near the half-wheel so that guests can cut additional pieces. You can also mix in other cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, gouda, and gruyere, to create a more dynamic platter.
If you want to get creative, you can bake brie in the oven and serve it warm and gooey. Place a wheel of brie on parchment paper in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. The cheese will melt on the inside while the rind stays intact. You can also wrap the brie in puff pastry and bake it, or try making brie bites or a brie sandwich.
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Pairing brie with other foods
Brie is a soft, creamy, and mild French cheese with a delicate and buttery flavour. It is a versatile cheese that can be served as an appetizer, dessert, or part of the main course. Here are some ideas for pairing brie with other foods:
Fruits
Brie pairs well with seasonal fruits that complement its creamy texture and add a touch of sweetness. Try apples, grapes, pears, apricots, plums, or figs. You can also pair brie with acidic fruits like strawberries, lemons, oranges, or pineapples to bring out its velvety texture.
Nuts
For a more savoury option, pair brie with nuts such as almonds, pecans, or candied walnuts. The earthy flavour of unsalted nuts can provide a nice contrast to the creaminess of the cheese.
Bread and Crackers
Brie is traditionally served with a baguette or other crusty bread. The simplicity of plain crackers can also complement brie without overwhelming its flavour.
Jams and Honey
Sweet and zippy sides like fig jam or honey can enhance the flavour of brie. You can also try pairing it with other condiments like stone-ground mustard or hot honey.
Meat and Charcuterie
Brie can be paired with meat such as salami, prosciutto, or speck. It also goes well with other cheeses, so feel free to create a dynamic platter by adding sharp cheddar, gouda, or gruyere.
Baked Goods and Pastry
Brie can be baked in a puff pastry or wrapped in pastry as a decadent appetizer. It can also be used in sandwiches, crostini, or flatbreads.
Beverages
When it comes to drinks, brie pairs well with champagne, soft and fruity red wines like Pinot Noir, or acidic white wines like Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer beer, try a hearty Scotch Ale, Stout, or Porter, or a fruity or highly carbonated Pilsner. Non-alcoholic options include light and fresh fruit juices like apple or grape juice.
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Recipes with brie
Brie is a soft, creamy, and mild French cheese with a hard, edible rind. It is a versatile cheese that can be served in many ways and pairs well with a variety of foods. Here are some recipes and ideas for serving brie on a cheese platter:
Room Temperature Brie:
Brie is best served at room temperature as it improves the taste and texture, making it softer and silkier. Remove the cheese from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach the ideal temperature. You can cut the brie wheel in half and then into small slices or wedges, ensuring that all your guests get to try different parts of the cheese.
Baked Brie:
For a warm and gooey treat, you can bake brie in the oven. Place a brie wheel on parchment paper in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. The cheese will melt on the inside while the rind stays intact. Serve it with crackers, honey, and fruits like apples, grapes, or pears.
Brie in Puff Pastry:
For an extra indulgent appetizer, wrap the brie wheel in puff pastry before baking. Place the wheel in the center of the pastry, spread a layer of jam on top, and fold the pastry over the wheel. Brush the outside with egg, then bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes. Serve this decadent treat with crackers or bread.
Brie Bites:
For a bite-sized appetizer, use a mini muffin pan. Cut a pre-made puff pastry into tiny squares and place them into the muffin cups. Add diced brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce to each cup. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Garnish with a toasted walnut crumble and rosemary for a tasty, elegant treat.
Pairings and Accompaniments:
Brie pairs well with a variety of foods, including fruits like apples, pears, grapes, apricots, and figs. You can also serve it with crackers, bread, or baguette. For a more substantial offering, pair it with nuts like almonds, pecans, or candied walnuts. Pickled vegetables, olives, and charcuterie meats like salami or prosciutto can also complement brie's mild flavor.
Beverages:
When it comes to beverages, brie goes well with champagne, soft and fruity red wines like Pinot Noir, and dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer beer, try a hearty Scotch Ale, Stout, or a fruity or highly carbonated Pilsner. For non-alcoholic options, light and fresh fruit juices like apple or grape juice are excellent choices.
With its versatility and delicious flavor, brie is a fantastic addition to any cheese platter, and these recipes will surely impress your guests.
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Storing brie
Avoid using plastic wrap unless you are freezing the cheese. Plastic wrap creates a moist environment, which can cause spoilage. If you do wish to freeze brie, cut it into manageable portions, wrap them in plastic film, and place them in a freezer bag. Be aware that freezing will alter the texture and flavour of the cheese.
Once you have cut into a wheel of brie, it should be consumed within a few days or refrigerated until your next snacking occasion. It is best to eat brie at room temperature, as this improves the taste compared to eating it straight from the refrigerator. However, do not leave brie at room temperature for an extended period.
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Frequently asked questions
Brie is a soft, creamy, and mild French cheese that can be served as-is or cooked. It is produced as a wheel and can be purchased whole or in wedges. Before serving, let the cheese reach room temperature. If you want to cut the rind, hold the cheese on its side and slice off the top and bottom layers with a sharp knife. Then, place the wheel on a cutting board and cut it in half. Fan out the wedges on a cheese platter, and add a cheese knife for your guests to cut additional pieces.
Brie's mild, buttery, and nutty flavor pairs well with fruits like apples, grapes, pears, apricots, and dates. It also goes well with crackers, baguette, salami, prosciutto, candied walnuts, pecans, honey, and jams. For a more savory option, try Castelvetrano olives, Marcona almonds, or pickled vegetables.
Brie can be baked in the oven and served warm and gooey. You can also wrap a whole wheel of brie in puff pastry and bake it for a decadent appetizer. Another option is to make brie bites by cutting a pre-made puff pastry into tiny squares, adding diced brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce to each, and baking them in a mini muffin pan.
