Green Companions For Brie: Finding The Perfect Pair

Brie is a soft French cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavour. It is typically served with crusty bread or crackers and can be paired with fruits, nuts, or honey. The most traditional fruit pairings are apples, grapes, and pears, but the millennial palate has included figs, avocado, kiwi, cantaloupe, and berries as favourites.

Green salads

Classic Green Salad with Brie

Add some brie cubes to a bed of mixed greens, such as arugula, spinach, or mixed salad leaves. Include some sliced apples, pears, or grapes, and a handful of candied walnuts or pecans. For a more substantial salad, add some grilled chicken breast or shrimp. Dress with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey.

Warm Brie Salad

For a heartier option, try a warm brie salad. Slice or cube the brie and gently warm it in the oven until it is slightly melted. Meanwhile, cook some bacon or pancetta until crispy, and chop into bite-sized pieces. Toss mixed salad greens with a tangy vinaigrette, then top with the warm brie, crispy bacon, and some sliced avocado.

Fruit and Nut Brie Salad

Create a salad that showcases the classic pairings of brie with fruits and nuts. Start with a base of mixed greens, then add sliced brie, fresh or dried apricots, apples, or pears, and some toasted almonds or pecans. For a touch of sweetness, add a handful of dried cranberries or a drizzle of honey. Dress with a simple balsamic vinaigrette.

Brie and Roasted Vegetable Salad

Roast some asparagus, carrots, or bell peppers in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Meanwhile, slice or cube the brie and allow it to come to room temperature. Toss mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette, then top with the roasted vegetables and brie. For an extra indulgent touch, add some crispy, fried halloumi cheese.

Remember, when preparing a salad with brie, it is best to let the cheese come to room temperature so that it is soft and creamy. Enjoy experimenting with these ideas and creating your own brie salad combinations!

Green apples

When serving brie with apples, it is best to let the cheese come to room temperature first. This ensures the cheese is soft and flavourful, and ready to spread on crackers or bread. The apples can be sliced and served fresh, or baked for a warm treat.

For a more substantial snack, brie and apple can be paired with earthy nuts like pecans or candied walnuts. This combination of flavours and textures is sure to thrill your guests. The apples can also be baked into a pastry with the brie, for a warm and gooey treat.

For a refreshing drink pairing, apple juice is a great non-alcoholic option to complement the cheese.

Brie and apple is also a classic sandwich combination. The soft cheese melts beautifully and can be paired with other ingredients like stone-ground mustard for a simple, delicious snack.

Green grapes

One way to serve brie with green grapes is to make a baked brie recipe. This involves baking a wheel of brie until it is melted and gooey, and then topping it with honeyed grapes. This combination is a real crowd-pleaser and will make you the star of any party. You can also add some crunch to the dish by serving it with toasted walnuts and sliced apples or pears.

Another option is to make roasted grape and brie crostini. This appetiser is a perfect balance of sweet, savoury, and sophisticated. It involves roasting grapes and then spooning them onto crostini topped with melted brie, honey, sea salt, and chopped walnuts. The sweetness of the grapes pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the brie, and the crunch of the crostini adds a satisfying textural contrast.

If you're looking for a simpler option, you can simply serve brie with fresh green grapes on a cheese plate. This allows the flavours of the brie and grapes to shine through without any additional ingredients. You can also add other fruits, such as apples or pears, to create a delicious and refreshing snack.

So, whether you're looking for a sophisticated appetiser or a simple snack, green grapes are a fantastic choice to pair with brie cheese. The sweetness of the grapes complements the creamy, rich flavour of brie, creating a delicious combination that your guests are sure to love.

Green kiwi

Brie and kiwi is a pairing that is both delicious and nutritious. Brie is a soft and creamy cheese with a mild yet deeply satisfying taste. It is a good source of protein and calcium, and it gets its name from the Brie region in France where it originated. The cheese is usually served with crusty bread or crackers, but it can also be paired with fruits, nuts, or honey.

Kiwi is a nutritious fruit that is rich in vitamins C and K, as well as fibre. It has a unique flavour that is both sweet and tangy, making it a perfect match for the creamy brie. The green flesh of the kiwi also adds a pop of colour to any dish, making it not only tasty but also visually appealing.

When creating a brie and kiwi pairing, it is important to consider the ripeness of the brie. Brie should be served when it is ripe, with a firm outside and a slightly bouncy and resilient inside. Allowing the brie to come to room temperature before serving will also enhance its flavour and texture.

In addition to the crackers and cookies mentioned above, there are several other ways to serve brie and kiwi. For a simple option, try slicing the brie and kiwi and serving them together on a cheese plate or platter. For a more substantial dish, spread brie on a slice of crusty bread or a cracker and top it with a slice of kiwi. You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of fruits, nuts, and other ingredients to find your perfect brie and kiwi pairing.

Green veggies

Green vegetables are a great pairing with brie cheese, and there are several ways to prepare them.

One option is to roast them. Roasted asparagus, for example, is a delicious pairing with brie. To make this dish, simply roast asparagus tips in the oven with salt, extra virgin olive oil, and black pepper. Then, add a generous helping of warm, creamy brie cheese on top. This combination creates a flavour profile reminiscent of truffles.

Another option is to sauté your green veggies. Try zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers, cooked in olive oil until soft and lightly caramelised. You can also add a sliced pear to the mix for a touch of sweetness. Serve this colourful medley of veggies with a wedge of melted brie and some toasted baguette on the side.

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, try making a grilled cheese sandwich with brie and veggies. Slice up some broccoli and carrots, drizzle with olive oil, and roast them in the oven until tender. Spread some mustard mayo on a slice of country bread, add the roasted veggies, top with slices of brie, and grill until the cheese is gooey and melted.

For a lighter option, you can make a salad with grilled eggplant, capers, and avocado, dressed with a garlic-spiced vinaigrette. Add a dollop of brie cheese on the side to complement the smoky aroma of the eggplant.

So, whether you're roasting, sautéing, grilling, or enjoying it raw, green veggies and brie cheese are a delicious combination, offering a range of flavours and textures that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Frequently asked questions