Randy Chandler
Baked Camembert is a delicious, decadent, and gooey treat that is surprisingly easy to make. It is a perfect appetizer for any occasion and a great way to get your family involved in the kitchen. The cheese is baked until it is molten and gooey, and the garlic adds a wonderful burst of flavour. You can also experiment with toppings such as honey, thyme, rosemary, cranberries, walnuts, or chilli flakes. Camembert is usually baked in its wooden box, but if you don't have one, you can use an oven-proof dish. The key to success is to let the cheese come to room temperature before baking, which ensures even melting and allows the full flavour to come through.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 180-200°C (350-400°F) |
| Preparation | Unwrap cheese, place in a wooden box or oven-proof dish, and score the top |
| Garlic | Thinly slice garlic cloves and wedge into scored cheese |
| Other toppings | Honey, thyme, rosemary, olive oil, pepper, nuts, cranberries, chilli flakes, bread, crackers, etc. |
| Baking time | 12-20 minutes |
| Serving | Serve immediately with dippers such as toasted bread, crackers, or raw vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the cheese
Next, remove any plastic or paper wrapping from the cheese and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. This ensures that the cheese melts evenly and allows the full flavour to come through. Place the cheese back into its box or a suitable dish. If you are unsure if the box is oven-safe, wrap it in aluminium foil for added stability.
Now, you can start adding your toppings. Using a sharp knife, cut a circle into the top of the cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Remove the rind to expose the creamy cheese underneath. You can then add your garlic. Peel and trim the end from each clove, then cut into thin slices and gently insert them into the cheese. You can also add other toppings like dried cranberries, walnuts, or a sprinkle of chilli flakes for heat.
Finally, drizzle olive oil over the top and sprinkle with black pepper. You can also add a sweet touch with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
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Choosing a baking dish
When choosing a baking dish for your Camembert, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, if your Camembert comes in a wooden box, you can simply use that as your baking dish. However, you should check that the box is oven-safe. If it is not, you can wrap the box in aluminium foil for added stability, or transfer the cheese to a small, oven-proof dish.
If your Camembert does not come in a wooden box, you can use a baking dish made of ceramic, or another oven-proof material. Choose a shallow, round baking dish that is slightly larger than the cheese. A ramekin is also a good option. If you are baking the Camembert with bread, you may want to opt for a larger dish to accommodate the bread.
It is important to note that Camembert cheese can melt quickly, so choosing the right-sized dish will help to avoid a mess in your oven. Using a dish that is too small may result in the cheese overflowing, while a dish that is too large may cause the cheese to spread out and become too thin.
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Preparing the garlic
If you are looking for a more intense garlic flavour, you can create a garlic paste. To do this, peel and trim the garlic cloves as before, then use a garlic crusher or a pestle and mortar to crush the garlic into a paste.
If you want to add an extra kick to your garlic, you can lightly fry the slices or paste in a pan with butter before adding them to the Camembert. This will take a few minutes and should be done on a low heat to avoid burning.
Finally, if you are using sliced garlic, you can add some fresh herbs to the slices before inserting them into the cheese. Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs are a great choice, but dried herbs will not work as they do not have enough time to cook and soften.
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Adding toppings
- Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or even garlic sliced into thin slivers can be sprinkled on top of the rind.
- Red chilli flakes will add a little spiciness.
- Honey can be drizzled on top, or you could substitute it with maple syrup or extra-virgin olive oil.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be gently inserted into the cheese for extra flavour.
- Crispy garlic can be sprinkled on top.
- Nuts can be roasted and glazed with maple syrup and salt, then scattered over the hot cheese.
- Olives and peppers can be sliced and mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, then scattered over the cheese.
You can also serve your baked camembert with a variety of sides and dippers, such as:
- Toasted bread, from baguette to pitta, sliced into small pieces or fingers.
- Breadsticks, cheese crackers, and raw vegetables are also good options for dipping.
- Fruits like strawberries, sliced apples, grapes, and dried apricots can be served on the side.
- Chutney, cranberry sauce, or other dips like dukkah or alcohol-soaked fruit can be served in small bowls.
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Serving suggestions
Baked Camembert is a versatile dish that can be served at special occasions or casual gatherings. It can be served as an appetizer, or as a main course with a side salad.
Camembert is best served with something to dip into it. Toasted bread, such as baguette, crostini, or garlic bread, is a popular choice. Breadsticks, crackers, and raw vegetables are also good options. If you want to bake the bread into the Camembert, you can surround the cheese with bread or brioche and use that for dipping.
You can also serve the Camembert with accompaniments such as chutney, cranberry sauce, or dukkah in small bowls. For a dry dip, you can try alcohol-soaked fruit.
To drink, Camembert pairs well with a crisp white wine, Champagne, sparkling cider, or sparkling wine.
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