Patrick Oconnell
Baked brie with red pepper jelly is a delicious and simple dish that can be served as an appetizer. It is a versatile dish that can be served at casual gatherings or holiday parties. The combination of creamy, rich, and decadent brie cheese with the sweet and spicy red pepper jelly creates a tasty blend of bold and nutty flavours. This dish can be served with crackers, baguette slices, apple wedges, or a charcuterie board for a mix of textures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Brie cheese, red pepper jelly, crackers, baguette slices, pecans, apple wedges, carrot sticks, jicama, cucumber rounds, red bell pepper strips |
| Preparation | Remove brie from fridge, peel off packaging, place on chopping board, use knife to make diagonal cuts in rind, spoon jelly on top, bake for 10-15 minutes at 350°F (175°C), transfer to serving platter, serve immediately with crackers and baguette slices |
| Taste | Spicy, sweet, nutty, creamy, rich, bold |
| Occasions | Appetizer, holiday party, casual gathering |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the ingredients
To prepare the ingredients for baked brie with red pepper jelly, start by removing the brie from the fridge and peeling off the packaging. Place the wheel of cheese in the centre of a chopping board. Use a knife to make diagonal cuts in the rind on top of the cheese, keeping the sides intact so the cheese doesn't run out while baking. You can also use this time to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Next, prepare the red pepper jelly. This can be found in the supermarket aisle with relishes and chutneys. It can be either sweet or spicy, depending on your preference. If you can't find red pepper jelly, you can substitute it with apricot preserves, cranberry sauce, or fig jam.
Finally, gather your toppings and accompaniments. Chopped pecans or walnuts add a nice crunchy texture and nutty flavour, but you can also use other nuts or dried fruit. If you prefer a less sweet option, you can drizzle the brie with olive oil, honey, and fresh rosemary instead of jelly. For serving, you'll need crackers, baguette slices, or crostini to scoop up the melted cheese. You can also add apple slices, pear wedges, grapes, or carrot sticks for a mix of textures and flavours.
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Baking the brie
Baked brie with red pepper jelly is a delicious and easy-to-make appetiser. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to bake the brie:
Preparing the Brie
Firstly, remove the brie from the fridge and take off the packaging. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cheese on a chopping board and use a knife to cut the top off the brie or score the top by making diagonal or crisscross patterns. Be sure to keep the sides of the cheese intact so that it doesn't run out while baking. Place the cheese in a brie baker or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Adding Toppings
Spread a generous layer of red pepper jelly on top of the cheese. You can use 1 cup or up to an entire jar of jelly. If you use a whole jar, there will be extra jelly, which can be enjoyed with bread or crackers. You can also add toppings such as chopped pecans or walnuts for extra flavour and texture.
Place the brie in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and slightly melted. For a more well-done brie, you can bake for up to 25-35 minutes, checking for doneness at the 25-minute mark.
Serving the Brie
Once the brie is baked, remove it from the oven and place it on a heatproof surface. Use a slotted turner to transfer the baked brie to a serving platter. It is best to serve the cheese immediately while it is still hot and at the perfect melting point. Arrange your baked brie as the centrepiece of a cheese board, surrounded by crackers, baguette slices, apple wedges, and other accompaniments of your choice. Enjoy!
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Choosing toppings
When it comes to choosing toppings for your baked brie with red pepper jelly, the options are endless. You can stick to the classic combination of brie, red pepper jelly, and crackers or get creative with various toppings and side dishes. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Nuts and Dried Fruits
Chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, add a crunchy texture and nutty flavour to the creamy brie. You can also add dried fruits such as cherries, apricots, or figs for a touch of sweetness.
Honey and Fresh Herbs
For a savoury option, drizzle the brie with olive oil, honey, and fresh rosemary instead of jelly. This creates a less sweet dish that still has a hint of sweetness from the honey.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Serve the baked brie with fresh fruit slices such as apples, pears, or grapes. You can also add a variety of vegetables like carrot sticks, jicama, cucumber rounds, and red bell pepper strips for a refreshing crunch.
Bread and Crackers
Baked brie with red pepper jelly goes well with crackers, crostini, or thin slices of toasted French bread or baguette. These provide a base for scooping up the melted cheese and jelly.
Charcuterie Board
Create a show-stopping spread by adding the baked brie to a charcuterie board. Surround it with a variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and vegetables. This makes for a beautiful presentation and gives your guests a range of options to choose from.
Alternative Jellies and Jams
If you're not a fan of red pepper jelly, you can experiment with other types of jelly or jam. Some popular alternatives include fig jam, apricot preserves, cranberry sauce, or even sweet pepper jalapeño jam. These options can add a unique twist to your dish.
Feel free to mix and match these toppings and sides to create a customised baked brie with red pepper jelly that suits your taste preferences and presentation style. The versatility of this dish allows you to be creative and impress your guests with a delicious and visually appealing appetiser.
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Serving suggestions
Baked brie with red pepper jelly is a delicious and versatile appetizer that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this tasty treat:
Crackers and Breads
Speciality crackers, such as water crackers, or sturdy crackers that can handle dipping into the melted cheese, are a perfect pairing. Thinly sliced toasted French bread, baguette slices, or crostini are also excellent choices to scoop up the brie and jelly. For a more filling option, serve the baked brie with a Brie Grilled Cheese or a Brie Croissant.
Charcuterie Board
Create a stunning charcuterie board with the baked brie as the centerpiece, surrounded by a variety of crackers, baguette slices, and apple wedges, and other fresh fruits like pear wedges or grapes. Add some color and crunch with carrot sticks, jicama, cucumber rounds, and red bell pepper strips.
Sweet and Savory Combinations
For those with a sweet tooth, drizzle the baked brie with honey or pair it with fig jam, apricot preserves, or cranberry sauce. To balance the sweetness, add some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or dried fruit on top of the jelly for extra flavor and texture. If you prefer a less sweet option, drizzle the brie with olive oil and fresh rosemary, or sprinkle with sliced almonds.
Holiday Treat
Baked brie with red pepper jelly is an ideal dish for holiday gatherings and parties. To make it extra festive, use a leaf-shaped cookie cutter to create a holiday-themed shape, or add holly pastry garnishes. It's a simple yet impressive dish that will be a crowd-pleaser.
With its versatility and ease of preparation, baked brie with red pepper jelly is a fantastic option for entertaining and indulging in the rich, creamy flavors of brie and the sweet and spicy kick of the pepper jelly.
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Storage and reheating
Leftover baked brie with red pepper jelly can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To store, place the leftover cheese in an airtight container and seal tightly.
When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to a suitable temperature. The exact temperature is not specified, but it should be sufficient to reheat the cheese without burning it. Place the leftover cheese in an oven-safe dish and heat until warmed through. The original recipe recommends serving the cheese warm and at its perfect melting point, so ensure that it is thoroughly reheated before serving.
Alternatively, small amounts of leftover cheese can be reheated in a microwave. Remove the cheese from the airtight container and place it on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Microwave in short intervals, stirring or turning the cheese over in between, until the cheese is warmed through and softened.
It is important to note that baked brie with red pepper jelly is best enjoyed fresh and hot out of the oven. The cheese is at its perfect melting point, making it ideal for dipping with crackers. Therefore, it is recommended to serve the cheese immediately after baking, rather than storing and reheating it.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 10 to 25-35 minutes to cook brie cheese with red pepper jelly.
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Toppings such as chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), dried fruit, and fresh rosemary go well with brie cheese and red pepper jelly.
Brie cheese and red pepper jelly can be served with crackers, baguette slices, crostini, apple slices, pear wedges, grapes, or a mix of fresh vegetables.
A whole wheel of soft brie cheese should be used to ensure it holds its shape when baked.
