Le Rustique Camembert: A Beginner's Guide To Cooking

how to cook camembert cheese le rustique

Le Rustique Camembert is a French cheese that is sold in boxes with gingham checks. While the French do not traditionally bake their Camembert, there are several recipes for baking Le Rustique Camembert. Baked Camembert is a gooey, cheesy, and slightly spicy dish that can be prepared in under 20 minutes. The oven temperature and baking time may vary depending on the recipe, but the basic steps involve removing the cheese from its plastic wrapping, placing it back in its wooden box, seasoning it, and baking it until melted.

How to cook Camembert Cheese Le Rustique

Characteristics Values
Oven temperature 180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4 (fan oven 160C) or 200/374/gas 5
Preparation time 2 minutes
Cooking time 10-25 minutes
Total time 12-27 minutes
Ingredients Camembert cheese, olive oil, garlic, wine, Prosecco or Champagne, herbs, black pepper, carrot, celery stick, cheese crackers, ciabatta, baguette, quince jam
Instructions Remove the plastic wrapping from the cheese and place it back in its wooden box. Rub garlic halves on the cheese. Pierce holes in the cheese and drizzle with wine, Prosecco or Champagne. Sprinkle herbs and black pepper on top. Place on a roasting tray or in a camembert oven-proof dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is wobbly and runny.

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Preparation: Let the cheese sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours

Preparing Le Rustique Camembert for baking is simple but important for getting the best results. Leaving the cheese out at room temperature for 1-2 hours is a crucial step in the baking process. This is because the cheese needs to be at room temperature to ensure even melting. If the cheese is too cold, it may not melt properly, resulting in an uneven and less gooey texture.

When preparing the Le Rustique Camembert for baking, it is also important to remove the plastic wrapping from the cheese and place it back into its wooden box. This is because the wood helps to insulate the cheese and regulate the temperature, ensuring even cooking. It also adds a layer of protection to avoid any cheese spillage, although some spillage is normal and can be avoided by wrapping the box in foil.

It is worth noting that while leaving the cheese out at room temperature for 1-2 hours is generally recommended, the exact time may vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen and the initial temperature of the cheese. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you may only need to leave the cheese out for an hour. On the other hand, if your kitchen is cooler, you may need to leave it out for the full two hours or until it has reached room temperature.

During this preparation time, you can also prepare the other ingredients and the oven. Preheat your oven to the desired temperature, which is typically between 180-200°C. Gather and prepare any additional ingredients, such as garlic, herbs, or spices, that you plan to use to infuse flavour into your baked Camembert.

Once the cheese has reached room temperature and you have prepared the other ingredients and oven, you can proceed with the baking process. Simply place the Camembert in its box into the oven and bake it for around 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is wobbly and runny.

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Oven setup: Preheat to 180-200°C

To cook Camembert cheese Le Rustique, you'll want to preheat your oven to 180-200°C. This temperature range ensures the cheese melts evenly and gets that desirable gooey texture without burning.

If you're using a fan oven, stick to the lower end of the temperature range, preheating to 180°C. This is because fan ovens circulate hot air more efficiently, so a lower temperature is sufficient.

For a conventional oven, preheat to 200°C. The higher temperature accounts for the fact that conventional ovens don't circulate hot air as effectively as fan ovens, so a higher temperature is needed to achieve the desired melting effect.

Regardless of the type of oven, it's important to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. This ensures even cooking and helps to avoid undercooked or overheated spots in your Camembert.

Remember, the preheating process is crucial as it ensures your oven is at the optimal temperature for cooking your Camembert. Skipping or rushing this step could impact the final result, so it's worth being patient and allowing your oven to reach the desired temperature before placing your cheese inside.

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Cooking vessel: Use a roasting tray, oven-proof dish, or the wooden box

When cooking Camembert cheese, the choice of cooking vessel is important to ensure even cooking and prevent mess. Here are some options for vessels to use when baking Le Rustique Camembert:

Roasting Tray or Oven-Proof Dish

A roasting tray or oven-proof dish is a suitable option for baking Camembert cheese. Preheat your oven to the desired temperature, which can range from 180°C to 200°C, depending on your oven and preferences. Remove the plastic or paper wrapping from the cheese and place the Camembert back in its wooden box, if it has one, without the lid. You can then place the box on the roasting tray or in the oven-proof dish before putting it in the oven. This method helps catch any cheese spillage and makes cleaning up easier.

Wooden Box

The wooden box that Camembert often comes in can also be used as a cooking vessel. Remove any plastic or paper wrapping from the cheese and place the cheese back in the box. Wrap the box tightly in foil to prevent cheese from dripping out. You can then place the wrapped box directly on a baking sheet or roasting tray and put it in the oven. Using the wooden box can add a rustic touch to your presentation and also ensures that the cheese stays contained during baking.

It's important to note that when using any of these cooking vessels, you should follow food safety guidelines and ensure that the cheese is properly handled and cooked to the appropriate temperature.

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Seasoning camembert cheese with garlic, herbs, and black pepper is a popular way to add flavour when cooking Le Rustique. Firstly, it's important to let the cheese sit at room temperature for at least an hour or two before baking. Then, you can unwrap the cheese and remove the plastic wrap. Place the cheese back into its wooden box.

To add the seasoning, you can slice the top of the cheese in a crosshatch pattern, or make small cuts in the cheese, about 1 inch apart and 1 inch deep, without cutting through the bottom rind. Next, you can rub garlic halves firmly over the top of the cheese, or wedge pieces of garlic into the cuts or holes. You can also add herbs like thyme, rosemary, or other fresh herbs, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper, or chilli flakes for a spicy kick.

Finally, drizzle the seasoned cheese with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is loose and gooey, and serve immediately with bread or crackers.

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Serving: Enjoy with carrot and celery sticks, crackers, or bread

Le Rustique Camembert can be served in a variety of ways. One option is to bake the cheese and serve it with carrot and celery sticks, crackers, or bread. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

First, remove the Le Rustique Camembert from its box and gingham paper wrapping. Then, pierce the top of the cheese with small sprigs of rosemary. You can add other ingredients such as garlic or chilli flakes to the cheese for extra flavour. Place the cheese into a ramekin or baking dish and wrap the container in foil to avoid any spillage.

Preheat your oven to 180-200°C, depending on your oven type, and bake the cheese for 15-25 minutes until the centre is melted and gooey. If you are using a barbecue, place the wrapped cheese over the coals and heat for 15 minutes, turning it every 5 minutes.

Once the cheese is baked, you can serve it with carrot and celery sticks, crackers, or warm bread. A crusty baguette or warm ciabatta goes well with the melted cheese. You can also serve the cheese as a starter or canape with these accompaniments.

For a more indulgent option, you can serve the baked Le Rustique Camembert with garlic bread. Drizzle olive oil on the cut side of a piece of bread and place it cut-side down on a hot griddle pan until toasted. Then, rub the toasted side with a garlic clove. The warm, garlicky bread is perfect for dipping into the melted cheese.

Frequently asked questions

Remove the cheese from its box and gingham paper. Then, pierce the top of the cheese with rosemary sprigs or rub garlic halves over it. Place the cheese in a ramekin or back in its box and wrap the box in foil.

For a conventional oven, bake at 200°C for 20-25 minutes. For a fan oven, bake at 180°C for 16-18 minutes. Do not exceed 180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4 (fan oven 160C) if using a different recipe.

Baked Le Rustique Camembert pairs well with a light red wine, a crusty baguette, and quince jam. It can also be served with carrot and celery sticks, cheese crackers, or warm ciabatta.

Le Rustique Camembert can be used in a leek gratin with buttery asparagus and French-dressed lettuce. It can also be served as a Camembert, Green Apple & Spiced Pecan Salad or baked with rosemary and quince jam.

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