Randy Chandler
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a distinctive white rind. It is known for its mild, buttery, nutty, and earthy flavour, and its soft, creamy texture. Brie is a versatile cheese that can be served in many different ways, including as an appetizer, dessert, or part of the main course. While it can be served straight from the refrigerator, brie is best enjoyed at room temperature or warm to bring out its creamy texture and flavour. It can be paired with a variety of foods, such as bread, crackers, fruits, nuts, and honey. Baked brie is also a popular option, creating a warm and gooey treat that can be dipped into or spread on bread or crackers.
Characteristics of serving cold brie cheese:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ripeness | The outside of the cheese should be firm, while the inside should be slightly bouncy and resilient. Underripe Brie can be stiff to the touch, while overripe Brie may be creamier and almost runny. |
| Temperature | Brie should be served at room temperature or warm to bring out its creamy texture and enhance its flavor. |
| Rind | The rind is edible and has a distinct and complementary flavor. It is recommended to serve Brie with the rind on, but some people may not like the texture and scoop out the soft middle. |
| Cutting | When serving a wheel of Brie, the first cut should divide the circle in half, and then continue halving until you get the desired size. Avoid cutting into triangles to ensure all guests get to try all parts of the cheese. |
| Pairings | Brie can be paired with sweet or savory options. Sweet pairings include honey, jam, berries, or fruits like apples, grapes, pears, apricots, and dates. Savory pairings include nuts, veggies, red pepper jelly, or crackers. It also goes well with bread, especially baguette or another crusty bread. |
| Baking | Brie can be baked in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. It can also be baked in puff pastry with jam or wrapped in phyllo with honey and pistachios. |
| Drinks | Brie pairs well with champagne, wines such as Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnays, and beers like Scotch Ale, Stout, or Porter. |
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Pairing with sweet or savoury foods
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be served as an appetizer, dessert, or part of the main course. It is best served at room temperature or warm to bring out its creamy texture and mild, buttery, nutty, and earthy flavour. The rind is edible and can have a distinct and complementary flavour.
When pairing Brie with sweet foods, it is recommended to choose fruits such as apples, grapes, pears, apricots, or figs. Honey, jam, berries, and candied walnuts are also good options. For a more substantial pairing, try nuts like unsalted pecans.
If you prefer savoury foods, Brie can be paired with meats such as salami or prosciutto, or crackers with red pepper jelly. It also goes well with veggies, bread, or baguette. For a more indulgent option, bake Brie in puff pastry with a layer of jam on top.
When creating a cheese board, it is recommended to cut some wedges ahead of time to guide guests on portion size. Avoid cutting the Brie into triangles, as the centre is often the most flavourful. Instead, cut it into small slices along the side.
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How to cut a wheel of brie
To cut a wheel of brie, it is recommended to cut it like a pie, with each slice resembling a slice of pie. This ensures that everyone gets a consistent amount of rind, outer "paste" and inner paste, and therefore a consistent experience of all aspects of the cheese, including varying ripeness. Cutting the wheel in this way also helps to prevent the cheese from drying out.
If you are serving a whole wheel of brie at a party, it is not recommended to slice the top off and let people scoop out the soft bit in the middle. Instead, cut the wheel in half, and then into small slices. This way, your guests will get to try all bits of the cheese.
If you are serving a baked wheel of brie, it is recommended to leave a quarter-inch border around the top. This helps to keep the cheese warm and gooey for longer, allowing your guests to fully enjoy its deliciousness. After baking the brie, use a sharp knife to cut around the top of the cheese, leaving a sturdy border. Then, gently remove the top rind of the brie, exposing the warm, gooey cheese inside.
If you are serving brie on a board as part of a cheese course, cut some wedges ahead of time to give your guests an idea of portion size. Avoid cutting the cheese into triangles, as the centre "tip" is often the most flavoursome. Instead, cut the brie along the side, ensuring that all guests get to try all parts of the cheese.
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese, circular in shape with an ivory colour and greyish, off-white rind. It is known for its mild, earthy flavour and its creaminess at room temperature or when baked. The rind of a brie is entirely safe to eat and can have a distinct and complementary flavour.
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Serving straight from the fridge
While it is recommended to serve brie at room temperature or warmed to bring out its creamy texture, you can serve it straight from the fridge. If you want to serve it cold, you can simply take it out of the fridge and serve it.
If you want to speed up the process of bringing the cheese to room temperature, you can put the wedge in a zip-top bag and submerge it in water that is just above room temperature. You can also use the microwave to warm it up, but be careful not to exceed 30 to 60-second intervals unless you want to melt the cheese.
When serving brie, it is best to place it on a cutting board with a soft-cheese knife. You can pre-slice the cheese into bite-sized pieces to make it easier for your guests to eat. If you are serving a wheel of brie, cut it in half, and then continue halving the halves until you arrive at the desired size. Avoid cutting the cheese into triangles, as the centre is often the most flavourful. Instead, cut the cheese along the side so that all your guests get to try all parts of the cheese.
Brie pairs well with wine, especially full-bodied Chardonnays, crisp Pinot Noirs, and Champagnes. It also goes well with fruits like apples, grapes, and pears, as well as crackers, baguettes, and nuts.
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Warming brie in the oven
To warm brie in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the brie wheel on a sheet of parchment paper in a shallow baking dish. It is not recommended to remove the rind, as this can be eaten and helps the cheese hold together. Drizzle honey over the cheese and add a sprig of rosemary or thyme. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the honey is bubbling and the cheese is soft. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for a minute before serving. The baked brie can be transferred to a serving plate or board, and drizzled with more honey if desired.
Baked brie is a great appetiser or snack, and can be served with a variety of sweet or savoury foods. Try dipping crackers, bread, apple slices, carrots, or chips into the warm, gooey cheese. For a more indulgent treat, serve with candied walnuts, or fresh fruit like figs, grapes, or strawberries.
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Baked brie recipes
Baked brie is a simple yet impressive dish that can be served as an appetizer or a snack. It is also a great way to serve brie cheese cold. Here are some recipes and tips to get you started:
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
This recipe calls for a sheet of thawed puff pastry and a wheel of brie cheese in the 8- to 12-ounce range. Cut the puff pastry into six 3x3-inch squares and wrap each piece of cheese. You can also add extras like cranberry sauce, roasted nuts, honey, or even jalapeño jelly before baking. Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes and let it cool before serving.
Baked Brie with Toppings
For this recipe, you will need an 8-ounce wheel of brie that is cold from the fridge. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chilled brie on the baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until soft in the middle. Remove from the oven and carefully transfer to a serving dish. Top with honey, pecans, thyme, or your desired garnishes.
Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Thyme
This recipe calls for an economical brie or Camembert, honey or maple syrup, and thyme. Bake the brie for 15 to 20 minutes (for a 250g/8-ounce wheel) or until melted through. You can also microwave it for 2 minutes in 30-second increments. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup and top with a sprig of thyme. Serve immediately with crostini on the side for scooping.
Baked Brie with Strawberry Compote
This recipe is a gut-healthy take on baked brie. Start by bringing the brie to room temperature. Assemble the appetizer by spreading the brie onto a low bowl or plate, then topping it with a layer of strawberry compote, shaved asparagus, radishes, lemon zest, and mint leaves. Finish with a sprinkle of chili flakes, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy with crackers or crostini.
Tips for Serving Baked Brie
- Brie cheese should be served at room temperature or warmed, never chilled, to bring out its creamy texture.
- The rind on brie cheese is safe to eat and has a distinct and complementary flavor.
- Baked brie can be served with a variety of accompaniments such as crackers, bread, grapes, apples, and salami.
- You can also experiment with different types of brie, such as Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun, which are the only two variations officially recognized by the French government.
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