Frederic Melton
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a delicate flavour and a creamy texture. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. When serving brie as part of a cheese board, it is best to cut wedges along the side of the wheel, rather than cutting into triangles, to ensure that all guests can try the most flavourful parts. Brie can be paired with fruits such as apples, grapes, or pears, as well as crackers, baguette, or crusty bread. It also goes well with sweet and zippy sides like fig jam or honey, and earthy nuts like pecans or candied walnuts. Baked brie is a popular dish, often topped with rosemary and pecans, and served with crackers or sliced baguette. Brie can also be used in sandwiches, burgers, or as an ingredient in dishes such as mac and cheese, soufflés, or potato skins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Soft and creamy |
| Colour | Creamy white |
| Flavour | Mild and buttery |
| Type of milk used | Cow's milk, sheep's milk or goat's milk |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature or warm |
| Storage | Plastic wrap |
| Serving suggestions | With bread, fruits, honey, jam, berries, nuts, veggies, red pepper jelly, crackers, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, casseroles, pizzas, flatbreads |
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What You'll Learn
Baked brie with honey, pecans, strawberry preserves, or chilli crisp
Baked Brie with Honey and Pecans
For this recipe, you'll need a wheel of brie, honey, pecans, fresh thyme, and red pepper flakes. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the brie on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. While the brie is baking, heat the honey in a small saucepan and add the pecans, stirring to combine. Transfer the baked brie to a serving board and top with the honey-pecan mixture. You can also add fresh thyme and a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavour. Serve with toasted bread and fruit, such as apple or pear slices, for a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
Baked Brie with Strawberry Preserves and Chilli Crisp
This variation adds a sweet, salty, and spicy twist to the classic baked brie. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. In a small bowl, mix strawberry preserves with chilli crisp to taste. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and gently roll out a sheet of puff pastry. Place the brie in the centre and cover it with the preserves mixture. Carefully fold the puff pastry over the entire wheel of cheese, creating a parcel. Brush the pastry with a beaten egg and sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if desired. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the pastry is a deep golden brown. Serve immediately with your favourite fruits and vegetable sticks, such as apple and pear slices, for a refreshing contrast.
Tips for Serving Baked Brie
- Allow the brie to come to room temperature before serving, as this will enhance its creamy texture.
- Get creative with your toppings and experiment with different combinations of sweet, salty, and spicy ingredients.
- Serve with a variety of crackers, bread, and fruits to create a well-rounded and satisfying appetiser or dessert.
- For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat and focus on the cheese as the star ingredient.
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On a sandwich with ham, turkey, and fig jam
There are many ways to make a sandwich with ham, turkey, brie cheese, and fig jam. Here is one method:
First, take four pieces of bread and spread butter and olive oil on one side of each slice. You can use softened butter mixed with olive oil or spreadable butter with olive oil. Flip the slices over and spread stone-ground dijon mustard on two slices of bread and fig jam on the other two slices. Leave the mustard and jam-smeared sides up.
Next, heat up slices of ham in a skillet to lightly brown them. Then, remove the ham from the skillet and set it aside. Start grilling the buttered slices with mustard in the pan and place three slices of brie on the mustard side. Then, place two slices of ham, followed by caramelized onions. Lay the second layer of bread, with the jam side down, on top of the onions to complete your sandwich. Cover the pan to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
You can serve this sandwich with a salad, cut-up veggies, or kettle chips.
Take two slices of bread and spread brie evenly over one side of each slice, covering crust to crust. Spoon the fig jam on top of the brie on one slice of bread, then spread it crust to crust. Fold the sliced turkey in small piles over the brie on the other slice of bread. Close the two halves of the sandwich together.
Heat butter and olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, place the sandwich in the skillet and let it toast for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Then, flip and toast the other side for 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown. Adjust the heat as needed to make sure the bread doesn't burn.
You can also make a sandwich with similar ingredients using apple and prosciutto or ham. Spread a layer of fig jam on the bottom and top pieces of bread, followed by 5-6 slices of apple, 3-4 slices of prosciutto or ham, and 3-4 thick slices of brie cheese. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper and top with the remaining half of the baguette. Repeat to make a second sandwich.
If you want to grill this sandwich, use sliced bread like sourdough or French bread. Butter the outside of the bread slices and then spread the fig jam on the inside of each slice. Layer the rest of the ingredients and then top with the second slice of bread. Warm a frying pan over medium heat and place the sandwiches butter-side down into the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and the cheese melts.
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As a topping for pizza or flatbread
Brie is a soft and creamy cheese with a mild and buttery flavour. It is a great topping for pizza or flatbread. Here are some ideas for how to use brie as a topping:
Caramelised Onion and Brie Pizza
This pizza features the subtle sweetness of caramelised onions with creamy brie cheese. To make this pizza, first prepare the dough and let it rise for 45 to 60 minutes. In a skillet, heat some oil or butter over medium-high heat and add the onions. Cook until they are translucent and browning at the edges, which should take about 20 minutes. Cover the dough with the onions, then add the brie, some black pepper, and sliced almonds. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, which should take 15 to 25 minutes depending on the size of the pizza. For a festive touch, add some cranberries and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Mushroom and Brie White Pizza
This pizza is a comforting, festive combination that is perfect for winter. To make this pizza, prepare the dough and press it out to form the base. Spread the base with garlic puree and ricotta cheese, then add sliced mushrooms, sliced brie, torn mozzarella cheese, and fresh sage. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper. Bake in a pizza oven for around 4-5 minutes or until cooked to your liking.
Apple, Brie and Parmesan Pizza
This pizza is a tasty vegetarian option. First, prepare the dough and let it rise for 24 hours. Then, mix together flour, salt, and yeast, and add water to make a sticky dough. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes. Spread caramelised onion on the dough, leaving an inch around the edges. Add sliced apples, then top with brie and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 4-5 minutes or until the top is bubbly and the bottom is golden brown. Top with arugula tossed in balsamic vinegar and some almonds.
When using brie as a pizza topping, it is recommended to use a pizza stone to get a nice crust and a bubbly top. You can also buy fresh pizza dough or pre-baked crusts if you don't want to make your own.
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In a grilled cheese sandwich with arugula pesto
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic, but you can elevate them to a gourmet meal by adding arugula pesto and brie cheese. This combination is perfect for those who want a more sophisticated grilled cheese sandwich. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a delicious brie cheese and arugula pesto grilled cheese sandwich:
Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need whole wheat sourdough bread, butter, arugula pesto (store-bought or homemade), brie cheese, and any additional toppings of your choice, such as asparagus or chicken. Allow the brie cheese to sit at room temperature for about an hour before using it to ensure it is super creamy.
Next, prepare your sandwich. Spread butter on the bread slices and place them butter-side down on your work surface. Generously spread the arugula pesto on the bread. If you are adding chicken or any other toppings, place them on the bread now. Then, layer on the brie cheese. Top it with another slice of bread, with the buttered side facing outwards.
Now, it's time to grill your sandwich. Place a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. You can brush the outside of your sandwich with olive oil before placing it on the grill, which will help create a crispy exterior. Grill your sandwich for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. If you want to cook the sandwich open-faced, adjust the heat to medium-low and cook for about 5-8 minutes before adding the arugula and topping the sandwich.
Finally, serve your grilled cheese sandwich hot. Cut the sandwich in half and pair it with a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc for a sophisticated meal. Enjoy the combination of creamy brie, bitter arugula pesto, and the crunch of any additional toppings you may have chosen.
This grilled cheese sandwich is a delightful way to enjoy the mild and buttery flavours of brie cheese, complemented by the arugula pesto. It is a perfect option for a light meal or an outdoor picnic.
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As a pasta sauce for mac and cheese
Brie is a soft and creamy cheese with a mild flavour. It is traditionally made from cow's milk, but can also be made from sheep's or goat's milk. The cheese is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, on cheeseboards, in casseroles, and as a topping for pizza or flatbreads. It is also commonly paired with fruits such as apples and strawberries, and preserves such as honey and jam.
Using Brie Cheese as a Pasta Sauce for Mac and Cheese
Using brie cheese as a pasta sauce for mac and cheese is a popular way to elevate the classic comfort dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make this delicious and creamy brie mac and cheese:
Ingredients
- Brie cheese
- Butter
- Pasta (elbows, shells, or your favourite small shape)
- Flour
- Milk
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh thyme (optional)
- Garlic (optional)
- Mustard and garlic powder (optional)
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Remove 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside, then strain the pasta.
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté garlic until browned (if using).
- Add flour to the butter mixture and whisk until a paste forms.
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously, until the mixture thickens (about 3-4 minutes).
- Turn the heat to low and add the brie cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick and smooth. Remove the rind from the brie cheese before adding it to the sauce for a creamier texture.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme (if using). For a spicy kick, add pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Pour the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce and fold until the pasta is coated. If a thinner sauce is desired, add a tablespoon of pasta water at a time.
- For a crunchy top, pour the mac and cheese into a casserole dish. Combine crushed crackers with butter and spread on top.
- Bake in the oven at 375°F until the top is golden and crispy.
This brie mac and cheese is a rich and indulgent dish that can be served as a main course or a side. It is perfect for a fancy dinner or a holiday indulgence and is sure to be enjoyed by both adults and children.
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Frequently asked questions
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a delicate flavour and a soft, nutty, and buttery texture. It is best served at room temperature, so take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Cut the wheel in half, then cut into small wedges or slices, making sure not to cut into triangles as the centre is often the most flavourful. The rind is edible and adds texture, so it is customary to eat the whole wheel, rind and all.
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of foods. It goes well with crusty bread, baguette, crackers, fruits like apples, grapes, or pears, and sweet sides like fig jam or honey. It can also be paired with nuts such as pecans or candied walnuts, charcuterie, or multiple cheeses for a cheese plate. For a more substantial pairing, try brie in a sandwich with ham, turkey, and arugula, or with bacon and red onion chutney.
Yes, brie can be baked and used in recipes such as baked brie with fig jam, chilli crisp, or strawberry preserves, brie mac and cheese, or luxury potato skins with brie and truffle.
