The Art Of Cooking Le Rustique Camembert

how to cook le rustique camembert cheese

Le Rustique Camembert is a French cheese that is typically sold in a box with gingham paper. While the French typically do not bake their Camembert, there are several ways to cook Le Rustique Camembert, including baking it in the oven, roasting it, or grilling it on the barbecue. The cheese can be paired with a variety of ingredients, including rosemary, quince jam, garlic, and bread.

How to Cook Le Rustique Camembert Cheese

Characteristics Values
Oven Temperature 180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4 (fan oven 160C) or 200/374/gas 5
Cooking Time 10-25 minutes
Prep Time 1-2 hours
Container Watertight container, e.g. wooden box, wrapped in foil
Toppings/Seasonings Rosemary, garlic, olive oil, black pepper, herbs, wine, sea salt flakes, chilli flakes
Accompaniments Carrot and celery sticks, cheese crackers, warm ciabatta, baguette, quince jam, garlic bread

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Preparation: Let the cheese sit for 1-2 hours, then remove the plastic wrapping and place it back in its box

Preparing Le Rustique Camembert cheese for baking is simple. First, let the cheese sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. This step is important as it allows the cheese to reach room temperature before baking, ensuring even cooking.

Once the cheese has rested, it's time to prepare the baking setup. Start by removing the plastic wrapping from the cheese. Camembert often comes packaged in plastic to preserve freshness, but this needs to be removed before baking. Be careful not to damage the cheese's surface during this step.

Next, place the cheese back into its original wooden box. The box provides a convenient and attractive serving vessel, but it's important to remove the lid to allow heat circulation and prevent overheating. If your Camembert didn't come in a wooden box, don't worry; you can use a small baking dish, a Camembert baker, a cast-iron skillet, or even kitchen foil to create a makeshift container.

Wrap the wooden box or alternative container in foil. This step is crucial to prevent cheese spillage and make cleanup easier. It also helps contain the heat and ensure even cooking. If desired, you can slice the cheese horizontally and add fillings such as dried cranberries, chopped apple, cinnamon, or brown sugar before putting the top back on.

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Oven temperature: Preheat the oven to 180-200°C

Oven temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect baked Le Rustique Camembert. Preheating the oven to the right temperature ensures the cheese melts uniformly and develops the desired gooey, cheesy texture. The ideal oven temperature range for baking Le Rustique Camembert is between 180°C and 200°C.

When baking Camembert, it's essential to consider the type of oven you're using. If you're using a conventional oven, set the temperature to 200°C. Baking the cheese at this temperature for 20-25 minutes will ensure the Camembert becomes delightfully molten and ready for dipping.

On the other hand, if your oven is of the fan-assisted variety, a slightly lower temperature of 180°C is preferable. Baking the cheese at this temperature for 16-18 minutes will produce similarly excellent results.

It's worth noting that some sources recommend an even lower temperature of 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 (or 160°C for fan ovens) when baking Camembert in its wooden box. This slightly lower temperature still ensures the cheese melts beautifully without overheating.

Regardless of the specific temperature you choose within the recommended range, preheating your oven is essential. By bringing the oven up to temperature before placing the Camembert inside, you ensure even cooking and help prevent the cheese from melting unevenly or becoming overly runny.

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Cooking time: Bake for 10-25 minutes, until the centre is melted and wobbly

The cooking time for Le Rustique Camembert cheese depends on the oven temperature and whether it is a conventional or fan oven. It is important to keep an eye on the cheese while it is in the oven to ensure that it does not overcook.

If you are baking the cheese in its wooden box, it is recommended to wrap the box in foil to avoid any cheese spillage. You should also pierce the top of the cheese with a knife to allow air to escape while cooking. This will prevent the cheese from cracking.

For a conventional oven at 200°C, bake the cheese for 15-20 minutes. If you are using a fan oven at 180°C, bake for 16-18 minutes. You may also bake the cheese on a barbecue by wrapping the box in foil and heating it over coals, turning it every 5 minutes for 15 minutes.

The cheese is ready when the centre is melted and wobbly. Be careful not to overcook it, as the cheese will continue to cook slightly as it cools.

Once it is baked to your liking, remove it from the oven and let it cool down slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious, gooey Le Rustique Camembert!

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Infusing flavours: Rub garlic on top, pierce with rosemary, and drizzle with oil, wine, or champagne

To infuse flavours when cooking Le Rustique Camembert cheese, you can rub garlic on top, pierce the cheese with rosemary, and drizzle with oil, wine, or champagne.

First, remove the plastic wrapping from the cheese and place the Le Rustique Camembert back in its wooden box. Then, firmly rub garlic halves over the top of the cheese to infuse it with garlic flavour.

Next, pierce the top of the cheese with rosemary. You can use five small sprigs of rosemary to infuse the flavour of rosemary into the cheese.

Finally, drizzle the cheese with your choice of oil, wine, or champagne. For example, you can use olive oil or a light red wine. Keep the drizzle within the rim of the cheese, creating a small puddle on top.

After infusing the flavours, you can sprinkle herbs, sea salt flakes, or black pepper on top of the cheese before placing it in the oven.

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Serving: Sprinkle with black pepper and serve with bread, crackers, or celery

Once your Le Rustique Camembert is cooked, it's time to serve it! There are many delicious options to choose from. A classic choice is to serve the baked cheese with bread. You could opt for a crusty baguette, warm ciabatta, or garlic bread. If you're feeling creative, you might try making your own garlic bread by toasting sliced bread on a hot griddle pan, then rubbing the toasted side with a garlic clove.

You could also serve the cheese with crackers or celery. For a more elaborate spread, you could offer a variety of accompaniments, such as carrot and celery sticks, cheese crackers, and warm bread.

Before serving, sprinkle the cheese with black pepper to taste. If you want to add some extra flavour, you could also sprinkle on some sea salt flakes or chilli flakes.

For a heartier meal, you might consider serving the cheese with a side of sliced pancetta or chorizo, or even some rosemary or garlic-infused baked camembert.

Frequently asked questions

Cooking Le Rustique Camembert cheese in an oven is simple. First, let the cheese sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Next, remove the plastic wrapping and place the cheese back in its wooden box. You can then rub garlic halves over the cheese and pierce the top with either a knife or rosemary sprigs. Wrap the box in foil and place it on a baking tray. Bake at 180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4 (fan oven 160C) for 10-20 minutes, or until the cheese is wobbly and runny.

Le Rustique Camembert cheese pairs well with a light red wine, a crusty baguette, and quince jam. You can also serve it with carrot and celery sticks, cheese crackers, or warm ciabatta.

Yes, you can cook Le Rustique Camembert on a barbecue. Simply remove any plastic packaging, wrap the box in foil, and heat the cheese over the coals for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.

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