Andy Montoya
Brie is a soft, creamy French cheese with a delicate, buttery flavour and a hard, greyish rind. It is typically served at room temperature or baked, and goes well with fruits like apples, apricots, and pears, as well as crackers, honey, and nuts. The French often serve it as its own course before dessert, but it can also be served as an appetizer, baked into puff pastry, or used in sandwiches, pasta, and casseroles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Brie is best served at room temperature or baked and gooey. Cold brie straight from the fridge is not recommended. |
| Rind | The rind is edible, but some people prefer to cut it off. |
| Pairings | Brie is a versatile cheese that pairs well with fruits, meat, crackers, jam, honey, nuts, and more. |
| Presentation | For a cheese board, cut the brie into wedges or slices ahead of time to indicate portion sizes. Avoid cutting into triangles, as the center is often the most flavorful. |
| Baking | Brie can be baked in a shallow dish at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or baked in puff pastry at 400°F for 35 minutes. |
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What You'll Learn
Brie cheese is best served at room temperature
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be served in many ways. It can be baked, grilled, or melted and served with crackers, fruit, meat, or nuts. It also pairs well with certain wines, beers, and juices. When serving on a board, it is recommended to cut some wedges ahead of time to guide portion sizes, avoiding cutting into triangles to ensure all guests get to try the most flavoursome part of the cheese.
The French traditionally serve Brie with a baguette or other crusty bread. This mild, buttery, and nutty cheese pairs well with fruits like apples, grapes, apricots, or pears, as well as sweeter options like honey, jam, candied walnuts, and pecans. It can also be served with more savoury options, such as Castelvetrano olives, Marcona almonds, or pickled vegetables.
For a visually stunning cheese board, a large wedge of Brie can be used as an anchor, or smaller wedges can be pre-sliced for functionality. Baked Brie is also a popular option, creating a warm and gooey centre while keeping the rind intact. This can be served with crackers, figs, and honey, or baked inside puff pastry with jam.
Brie is a soft-ripened cheese with a downy white rind that is edible and often enjoyed, though some prefer to remove it. It is a popular and decadent cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a larger meal.
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Baked brie is a popular appetiser
When baked, brie's mild flavour and soft texture make it a versatile appetiser. It can be served warm and gooey, with the rind intact, and accompanied by crackers, fruits, and honey. For an extra special touch, bake the whole wheel in puff pastry with a layer of jam on top. This simple dish can be adapted to suit many tastes, as brie pairs well with both sweet and savoury foods.
When serving baked brie, it is best to pre-slice smaller wedges for guests to serve themselves, rather than scooping out the centre and leaving the rind. The French often enjoy brie as its own course before dessert, but it can also be served as part of a cheese board or charcuterie situation. When serving brie on a board, it is best to cut some wedges ahead of time to indicate the appropriate portion size. Avoid cutting the cheese into triangles, as the centre is often the most flavoursome. Instead, cut the wheel in half and then into small slices.
Brie's mild, nutty flavour pairs well with fruits such as apples, pears, apricots, and dates. It also goes well with meats like salami and prosciutto, as well as nuts, including almonds, candied walnuts, and pecans. For a more savoury pairing, try buttery Castelvetrano olives or lightly salted Marcona almonds.
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Brie can be served with or without the rind
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a delicate flavour and a hard, greyish, off-white rind. It is typically served at room temperature or baked, but not cold straight from the fridge.
When it comes to serving brie, you can choose to keep the rind on or take it off. The rind is edible and some people enjoy the contrast in texture it provides, while others prefer to remove it when eating the cheese at room temperature. If you are baking the brie, it is easier to avoid the rind as it will stay intact while the inside melts.
To serve brie with the rind, simply let it come to room temperature before serving. This will unlock the full depth of aroma and flavour. You can also bake brie with the rind on, which will result in a warm, gooey cheese that can be enjoyed with crackers, figs, and honey.
If you prefer to remove the rind, you can cut it off before serving the cheese. This is especially useful if you are creating a cheese board with pre-sliced wedges for guests to serve themselves. Removing the rind can also be easier when the cheese is cold, as it is harder and less gooey.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to serve brie with or without the rind comes down to personal preference. Some people enjoy the taste and texture of the rind, while others prefer to avoid it.
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Brie pairs well with fruits, meats, crackers, and nuts
Brie is a versatile cheese that pairs well with various fruits, meats, crackers, and nuts. Here are some ideas for each category:
Fruits
Brie goes well with both fresh and cooked fruits. For a summery option, try pairing it with strawberries and peaches, such as on a grilled peach flatbread with bacon and basil. Another fruity option is to make baked brie with a sour cherry spiced wine fruit compote, which includes whole tart cherries, warm spices, and cracked black pepper. This classic pairing is especially festive for holiday gatherings. You can also make a cheese board with brie, fresh fruits, croissants, ham, and honey for a summer picnic.
Meats
Brie is delicious with different types of meat, such as ham, bacon, and roast pork with crackling. For a sandwich option, try a deluxe ham and cheese toasted sandwich, or a Vietnamese bakery roll with roast pork and a mustard sauce. Brie is also tasty in a bacon risotto or on a hamburger with caramelized onions.
Crackers
Baked brie can be served with crackers. For example, baked brie with a wild blueberry maple compote, fresh rosemary, and toasted walnuts can be served with toasted sliced French baguette or crackers.
Nuts
Nuts are a great addition to brie, whether as a topping or mixed into a spread. Toasted pecans and walnuts are popular choices, especially when paired with a fruit compote or honey. You can also make mini tarts with brie, a balsamic fig spread, and nuts, or top your brie with a mixture of jam, toasted nuts, and herbs.
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Brie can be used in pasta, casseroles, and sandwiches
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta, casseroles, and sandwiches. Here are some ideas for each:
Pasta
A popular way to use Brie in pasta is to create a creamy sauce. Jar of Lemons suggests melting Brie with milk, seasoning, and lemon juice, and combining it with spinach, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil. You can also add in mushrooms, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or other vegetables of your choice. This dish can be served with your favourite pasta, such as spaghetti, bowtie pasta, rotini, or penne.
Casseroles
For a unique casserole dish, Insanely Good Recipes recommends combining tender Brussels sprouts with creamy Brie, topped with salty bacon, and crunchy breadcrumbs. This blend of flavours and textures creates a comforting and impressive dish that's perfect for game day or impressing guests.
Sandwiches
Brie grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular choice, and for a reason. Seasons and Suppers suggest combining thick slices of Brie with old cheddar and red pepper jelly, grilled to perfection. Sourdough bread works well, as it grills up beautifully and has a tangy flavour that complements the rich Brie. Don't skimp on the butter for the perfect grilled cheese experience.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the versatility of Brie means the possibilities are endless.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to serve Brie at room temperature as it unlocks the full depth of aroma and flavour.
Brie is a very versatile cheese and can be paired with a variety of foods. Some popular pairings include fruits like apples, pears, apricots, and dates, as well as crackers, nuts, honey, and meats like salami and prosciutto.
This is a matter of personal preference. Some people enjoy the rind, while others prefer to cut it off. The rind is edible and can be eaten, but it is not mandatory.
Yes, Brie can be baked and served warm and gooey. It can be baked in a puff pastry with jam or simply on its own in a baking dish. Baked Brie is a popular appetizer or dessert.
