Andy Montoya
Brie-zza—a delightful fusion of two beloved comfort foods—is a pizza topped with Brie cheese. While some people enjoy the combination of Brie and pizza, others believe that the soft and creamy texture of Brie doesn't shine on a pizza, resulting in a gooey, greasy mess. However, there are ways to incorporate Brie into a pizza without baking it, such as using small slices or dollops as a garnish. Additionally, Brie can be used as a replacement for a sauce on a flatbread, creating a creamy base for various toppings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Fruity, earthy, nutty, grassy, mushroom-like |
| Texture | Soft and creamy |
| Melting behaviour | Becomes gooey and greasy in the oven |
| Toppings | Caramelised onions, apples, arugula, Parmesan, prosciutto, honey |
| Crust | Crispy |
| Baking instructions | Broil on a pizza stone for 4-5 minutes at 500°F |
| Baking stone alternative | Use a cast-iron skillet |
| Rind | Edible and adds texture and flavour |
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What You'll Learn
Brie pizza recipes
Brie-zza
Affectionately known as Brie-zza, this Italian Brie cheese pizza recipe is a delightful fusion of two beloved comfort foods. This recipe calls for a wheel of Brie to be baked inside a pizza dough crust. The rind can be left on as it is edible and adds subtle flavour. The dough is then topped with a variety of toppings such as caramelized onions, prosciutto, fresh arugula, or a sweet honey drizzle.
Brie, Onion, and Apple Pizza
This vegetarian pizza features a combination of brie, onions, apples, and arugula, resulting in a sweet and savoury flavour profile. The sweetness of caramelized onions and apples pairs well with the earthy, nutty, and fruity notes of brie. Parmesan cheese is also added for extra flavour, and the pizza is baked on a pizza stone until bubbly and golden brown.
Caramelized Onion and Brie Pizza
This recipe highlights the combination of creamy Brie cheese with the subtle sweetness of caramelized onions. The addition of lightly sweetened fresh or frozen cranberries provides a tangy contrast, while a sprinkle of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme adds a festive touch.
Brie Pizza with Almonds and Balsamic Arugula
Similar to the previous recipe, this variation includes almonds for added crunch and flavour. The arugula is tossed with balsamic vinegar before being added to the pizza, creating a fresh and tangy element.
Stuffed Brie Cheese Pizza
This recipe calls for a refrigerated pizza dough rolled out onto a baking sheet. A wheel of Brie is placed in the centre, with the dough cut and shaped to cover the sides of the cheese. The topping includes garlic, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni slices. The crust is brushed with melted butter before baking, resulting in a golden brown and crispy finish.
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Brie as a pizza topping
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese with a rich, earthy flavour. It is a popular cheese to eat on crackers, bread, or spread on a cracker or bread. But can it work on a pizza?
The answer is yes, but it may not be to everyone's taste. Brie has a very distinct flavour and texture, and when melted, it can become greasy and messy. However, this does not mean it cannot be used as a pizza topping. In fact, it can be a delicious and indulgent alternative to the more commonly used mozzarella.
The key to using brie as a pizza topping is to use it sparingly and to pair it with the right ingredients. A little brie goes a long way, so using small slices, chunks, or dollops can be enough to add a creamy, earthy flavour to a pizza without overwhelming the other toppings. It is also important to consider the other toppings used in combination with brie. Sweet toppings such as caramelised onions, apples, and a drizzle of honey can help to balance the richness of the brie. Fresh arugula, basil, and balsamic glaze can also help to cut through the creaminess of the cheese and add a tangy, acidic element to the pizza.
Another option is to use brie as a replacement for a sauce on a pizza. By spreading a layer of brie on a pre-cooked flatbread and topping it with fresh, tangy ingredients, you can create a simple and delicious brie-based pizza. This method allows the flavour and texture of the brie to shine without the risk of it becoming greasy or messy in the oven.
So, while brie may not be the first cheese that comes to mind when thinking about pizza toppings, it can be a delicious and indulgent option when used correctly. For those who enjoy the unique flavour and texture of brie, it can be a wonderful way to elevate a homemade pizza.
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Brie as a base sauce
While brie is not the first choice of cheese for pizza, it can be used as a base sauce. The soft and creamy texture of brie can be a little messy on pizza, but it can be used as a garnish in small slices, chunks, or dollops.
To make a pizza with brie as the base sauce, you can follow these steps:
First, prepare the dough. You can make your own dough by mixing flour, salt, yeast, and water, or you can buy fresh pizza dough from a store. If you make your own, cover the mixture with plastic wrap and a towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 24 hours.
Next, prepare the toppings. Caramelized onions are a popular choice to pair with brie, as they add a subtle sweetness to the pizza. To caramelize onions, heat some oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the onions for about 20 minutes, stirring often, until they are translucent and browned. You can also add other toppings such as apples, arugula, almonds, or cranberries.
Once your toppings are ready, it's time to assemble the pizza. Spread a generous layer of brie over the dough, leaving an inch around the edges. If using caramelized onions, spread them evenly across the brie, followed by any other toppings of your choice. You can also sprinkle some black pepper on top for added flavour.
Finally, bake the pizza. Place the pizza in the oven and bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. The baking time will depend on the size of your pizza, but it typically ranges from 15 to 25 minutes.
Using brie as a base sauce can add a unique and creamy flavour to your pizza, and with the right combination of toppings, you can create a delicious and memorable meal.
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Baked vs. unbaked brie on pizza
There are several ways to make a pizza with brie cheese. One option is to make a stuffed-crust pizza, where a wheel of brie is placed in the centre of the pizza dough, and the dough is wrapped around it, forming a pizza shape. This option is then baked in the oven. Another option is to make a pizza with toppings, such as caramelised onions, apples, arugula, cranberries, and brie cheese. This option can be baked in the oven or cooked in a skillet.
When it comes to baked vs. unbaked brie on a pizza, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, baked brie is a popular appetiser or party food, as it is easy to prepare and has a "wow factor". To bake brie, you can simply unwrap it and place it in an oven-proof dish, or on crumpled paper, and bake for 15 minutes, or microwave for 2 minutes. Baked brie can be served with sturdy crackers, bread, or grapes, and can be drizzled with honey or maple syrup for extra flavour.
Unbaked brie, on the other hand, can be used as a topping on a pizza. When using unbaked brie on a pizza, it is important to consider the texture and flavour that the brie will add. Brie has a creamy texture and a subtle, earthy flavour. It pairs well with sweet toppings like caramelised onions, apples, and cranberries. It can also be paired with salty toppings like prosciutto, or other toppings like arugula, almonds, and a honey drizzle.
When baking a pizza with unbaked brie, it is important to consider the baking time and temperature. For a pizza with a stuffed crust made of brie, the baking time is typically around 20 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. For a pizza with brie toppings, the baking time will depend on the size of the pizza, but it typically ranges from 15 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
In conclusion, both baked and unbaked brie can be delicious on a pizza. Baked brie is a simple and impressive appetiser, while unbaked brie adds a creamy texture and subtle flavour to a pizza. When using unbaked brie on a pizza, it is important to consider the baking time and temperature, as well as complementary toppings.
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The rind on brie when baking
When baking brie, you can choose to keep the rind on or take it off. Many people eat brie with the rind intact, but some find its taste and texture unappetizing. The rind is completely edible, and removing it can be difficult because the soft cheese sticks to it.
If you want to remove the rind, it is recommended to freeze the brie first. This will make it easier to slice off the top, bottom, and sides with a serrated knife. You can then let the cheese come to room temperature before serving or baking it.
If you are baking a pizza with brie, you can also choose to leave the rind on or take it off. Some recipes for a "Brie-zza", a fusion of brie and pizza, suggest cutting the rind from the top of the brie wheel and discarding it before baking. However, other recipes indicate that you can leave the rind on when baking, as it is edible and adds subtle flavor.
Ultimately, the decision to keep or remove the rind when baking brie is a matter of personal preference. Some people may prefer the taste and texture of brie with the rind left on, while others may find it unappetizing. Removing the rind can also be more difficult and time-consuming, so it may not be worth the effort for some people.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is safe to eat the rind of Brie cheese when making pizza. The rind adds a subtle flavour and texture to the pizza as it crisps up slightly when cooked. However, some people prefer to remove it.
Brie cheese is a very flavourful cheese, with fruity, earthy, nutty, grassy, and mushroom-like notes. Toppings that pair well with Brie cheese include caramelised onions, apples, arugula, Parmesan cheese, almonds, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, honey, and cranberries.
Some sources suggest that Brie cheese can become a gooey, greasy mess in the oven, so it is recommended to add small slices, chunks, or dollops of Brie as a garnish once the pizza is cooked. However, there are also recipes that call for cooking the Brie cheese on the pizza, so it may be a matter of personal preference.
