Bushra Griffith
Brie is a soft French cheese with a smooth, creamy texture and a delicate flavour. It is a versatile cheese that can be served as an appetizer, dessert, or part of the main course. When serving Brie, it is recommended to let it rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes to enhance its flavour and make it easier to slice. The cheese can be cut into small wedges, with or without the edible rind, depending on personal preference. To create a dynamic platter, Brie can be paired with other cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, gouda, or gruyere, and accompanied by a sliced baguette, meats, and red wine. For a more substantial offering, it can be paired with earthy nuts like unsalted pecans or candied walnuts, or a charcuterie board with meats like salami and prosciutto. Baked Brie is also a popular option, creating a luxurious, spreadable texture that can be paired with crackers, fruits, honey, or baked into a pastry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Soft, creamy, smooth, velvety, mild, rich, buttery, fruity, funky, gooey, delicate, decadent, agreeable, spreadable, luxurious, silken, soft, plump, sticky, bouncy, resilient, ooey-gooey |
| Colour | Ivory, pale yellow |
| Shape | Circular |
| Rind | White, greyish, off-white, edible, crumbly, bitter, bloomy |
| Storage | Refrigerate, wrap in waxed or parchment paper, avoid plastic wrap, freeze |
| Serving | Bring to room temperature, slice into wedges, bake, grill, serve with crackers, honey, jam, fruit, nuts, bread, baguette, ham, arugula, cherry tomatoes, balsamic glaze, salami, prosciutto, other cheeses |
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What You'll Learn
How to cut brie cheese
To cut brie cheese, it is recommended to let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing. This will enhance the flavour and make it easier to cut. Use a sharp brie knife with a thin, long, and narrow blade to avoid the cheese sticking to the knife. If your knife does not have holes in the blade, you may want to provide a small pointed cheese knife (or small spade) for spreading on baguettes.
When cutting a disc of brie, use a gentle back-and-forth motion to cut through the middle, creating two equal-sized semicircles. Cut each semicircle into small, thin wedges about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) wide at their widest point. You can cut from one or both sides of the semicircle. If serving guests, leave the semicircle whole and let them cut their own triangular pieces.
To cut a wedge of brie, use long, thin slices along the length of the wedge, preserving the wedge shape as you go. Avoid cutting off the triangular tip of the wedge, as this is considered rude since it is usually the ripest and most flavourful part.
If you know that no one wants to eat the rind, you can remove it entirely before serving. Otherwise, try to cut small pieces that include the rind so that the cheese does not become hollowed out.
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How to store brie cheese
Storing brie cheese requires maintaining the right balance of moisture and airflow. If stored incorrectly, brie can spoil faster than other cheeses.
If you have bought a whole wheel of brie, the best way to store it is in its original wrapping, which is designed to keep it moist while allowing it to breathe. If you have a cut piece, you should only buy as much as you can consume in a few days. If you are not consuming it within a day or two, unwrap the cheese and let it breathe for a few minutes before rewrapping it in plastic wrap.
To store cut brie, wrap it tightly in wax paper or parchment paper, which allows the cheese to breathe while maintaining its creamy texture and preventing excessive moisture buildup. Change the wrapping every couple of days to prevent excess moisture buildup. Avoid storing brie in plastic wrap unless freezing it, as this will create a moist environment, leading to spoilage.
Store brie in the refrigerator between 35°F and 45°F (1°C to 7°C). Keep it in the vegetable crisper drawer, which offers better humidity control and reduces the risk of drying out. Avoid placing it near the fridge door, where temperature changes are frequent. Keep brie away from strong odours, as it easily absorbs smells.
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How to serve brie cheese
To serve brie cheese, it is recommended to take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to let it rest at room temperature. This allows the brie to become softer and more flavourful. The cheese is then ready to be sliced into wedges, with or without the rind, depending on your preference.
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be served as an appetiser, dessert, or part of the main course. It can be paired with a variety of foods, such as fruits, meat, crackers, and bread. When served on a board, it is recommended to cut some wedges ahead of time to guide portion sizes, and to cut the cheese into side slices rather than triangles to ensure that all guests can try all parts of the cheese.
Baked brie is also a popular option, served warm and gooey straight from the oven. It can be baked in a pastry with jam or served with toppings such as honey, nuts, herbs, and fruit.
When serving brie, it is important to consider the presentation and the portion size. For a visually appealing display, a large wedge of brie can be used as an anchor, or the cheese can be cut into a decorative shape such as a snowflake.
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What to pair with brie cheese
Brie is a mild, buttery, creamy, and nutty French cheese that can be paired with a variety of foods. Its versatility makes it a great addition to any cheese board or appetizer spread.
When it comes to what to pair with brie cheese, the options are endless. Fruits are a popular choice, particularly stone fruits like peaches, figs, apricots, and plums. The sweetness and juiciness of these fruits complement the creaminess of the cheese. If stone fruits are not in season, grapes and berries also make a great pairing. For a more indulgent treat, try pairing brie with fruit preserves, such as jam or honey. The sweetness of the preserves pairs beautifully with the savoury, melted cheese.
To add a crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese, consider pairing brie with candied or spiced nuts. Caramelized, candied walnuts, pecans, almonds, or spiced nuts with cinnamon and chilli are all delicious options that can be made at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Brie also pairs well with meats such as salami, prosciutto, and roast pork. For a simple yet satisfying snack, try brie on toast with a drizzle of olive oil, flaky salt, fresh cracked pepper, and herbs such as tarragon, thyme, or rosemary.
When serving brie, it is recommended to bring the cheese to room temperature to fully appreciate its flavour and texture. The rind of the brie is also edible and enhances the flavour of the cheese, so it is not necessary to remove it before serving.
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How to bake brie cheese
Baked brie is an easy and elegant appetiser that can be made in several ways. Here is a simple recipe with additional tips for customisation.
Firstly, preheat your oven to 350°F. If you have a pie plate, you can use this to bake and serve your brie, otherwise, use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the brie on the parchment paper and let it sit at room temperature for an hour to remove the chill.
Now, you can prepare your toppings. Fig jam, honey, rosemary, and pecans are popular choices. If you want to get creative, try apricot or raspberry jam, or swap pecans for shelled pistachios, walnuts, or hazelnuts. You can also add dried fruit like raisins, dates, or apricots. Mix your toppings with a bit of honey or jam to prevent them from drying out in the oven.
Next, score the top of the brie rind with a serrated knife. Make parallel cuts about 1/2 inch apart, cutting through the rind but not the cheese. Then, turn the brie 90 degrees and score perpendicular to your initial cuts to create a crosshatch pattern. This makes the appetiser more inviting and prevents anyone from getting large chunks of rind.
Spread two-thirds of your toppings over the brie and dollop the rest around it. Then, bake for 12 to 20 minutes, checking at the 15-minute mark, until the cheese is soft and starting to ooze. If you want to get ahead, you can wrap the brie in pastry and keep it refrigerated for up to a day before baking and serving.
Finally, let the brie sit for 5 minutes before serving. Transfer to a board and surround it with crackers, a sliced baguette, or sliced apples or pears. Baked brie is best served warm, right out of the oven. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Let the Brie sit out of the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes to reach room temperature before serving. This will make the Brie softer and easier to slice.
The rind of Brie is entirely edible and provides a nice textural contrast to the creamy cheese inside. However, some people may find its taste and texture unappealing. If you don't want to eat the rind, it is best to freeze the Brie before attempting to remove it with a serrated knife.
First, let the Brie reach room temperature for easier slicing. Place the Brie on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to trim the rind if desired. Then, slice the Brie into small wedges, each about 1/3 inch thick. Finally, arrange the wedges on a cheese platter, fanning them out slightly.
Brie is a versatile cheese that pairs well with sweet fruits like apples, grapes, pears, and berries, as well as nuts such as unsalted pecans and candied walnuts. It is also delicious when baked with puff pastry, jam, and honey, or spread on crackers.
Yes, baking Brie is a popular way to soften it and make it more spreadable. Place the Brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 °F (177 °C) until softened and bubbly. You can also bake Brie in a pastry or with toppings like fruit preserves, honey, and fresh herbs.
