Randy Chandler
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a delicate flavour and a gooey texture. It is circular in shape, ivory in colour, and has a greyish, off-white rind. Traditionally, the French serve brie as its own course before dessert, but it can also be served as an appetiser or as part of the main course. It is typically served with crusty bread or crackers, and it can be paired with fruits, nuts, or honey. Brie's mild flavour also makes it a good pairing with sandwiches, salads, and pasta.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Soft, velvety, gooey |
| Flavor | Mild, nutty, buttery, delicate |
| Color | Ivory |
| Rind | Edible, greyish off-white |
| Ripeness | Outside firm, inside bouncy and resilient |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature |
| Serving size | Small wedges |
| Accompaniments | Bread, crackers, fruits, nuts, honey, jam, wine, beer |
| Recipes | Baked brie, sandwiches, salads, pasta, burgers, pancakes, tarts, filo parcels, potato skins, cheese dip |
Explore related products
Brie and crackers
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a delicate flavour and a gooey texture. It is circular in shape and has an ivory colour with a greyish, off-white rind. It is traditionally served as its own course before dessert, but it can also be served as an appetiser or as part of the main course.
When serving brie and crackers, it is best to let the cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften and become more flavourful. The cheese should be sliced into wedges, and the edible rind should not be removed. Plain crackers are a good choice to accompany brie because they won't detract from the cheese's flavour.
Some suggestions for crackers to serve with brie include:
- Low-sodium Triscuit crackers
- Water crackers
- Oat crackers
- Rice crackers
To enhance the flavour of the brie and cracker combination, pair it with a beverage such as champagne, a soft and fruity red wine like Pinot Noir, or an acidic, herbaceous, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer beer, a hearty stout or a highly carbonated Pilsner will also pair well. For a non-alcoholic option, try a light and fresh fruit juice like apple or grape juice.
The Best Cheeses to Use in French Onion Soup
You may want to see also
Baked brie recipes
Baked brie is a perfect holiday appetizer and is a great way to impress your guests. It is rich, gooey, and melty, and pairs well with a variety of toppings and sides. Here are some baked brie recipes you can try:
Baked Brie with Honey and Pecans
This is a classic and popular baked brie recipe. Start with an 8-ounce wheel of cold brie and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until soft and melty. Top with honey, toasted pecans, and fresh thyme. Serve immediately with crostini, crackers, or baguette for scooping up the cheese.
Baked Brie with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Toasted Pine Nuts
For a savoury twist, top your baked brie with sun-dried tomato pesto and toasted pine nuts. This recipe can be served with crackers, such as Triscuit crackers, for a tasty appetizer.
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
Wrap the brie in puff pastry and brush it with a beaten egg. Bake at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the pastry is deep golden-brown. Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This recipe can be made in advance and frozen until ready to bake.
Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Thyme
Drizzle baked brie with maple syrup and top with a sprig of thyme. This recipe is quick and easy, requiring only 15 minutes in the oven. Serve with crackers or crostini on the side for scooping.
Baked Brie with Sweet Spreads
Get creative with your toppings! Try using sweet spreads like cherry or fig jam, cranberry sauce, or even strawberry preserves for a unique and tasty treat.
Feta Cheese: A Versatile Ingredient for Your Next Dish
You may want to see also
Brie and bread
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a delicate, nutty flavour and a soft, buttery texture. It is typically circular in shape with an ivory colour and a greyish, off-white rind. Brie is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including simply by itself or with bread and crackers.
When it comes to Brie and bread, the options are endless. Brie is often served with crusty bread, such as a baguette, to complement its soft texture. The bread provides a contrast in texture and allows the Brie to be spread easily. It is best to let the Brie come to room temperature before serving, as this enhances its flavour and makes it softer.
One way to enjoy Brie and bread is to create an open-faced sandwich. Slice the Brie into thin wedges and place it on a slice of crusty bread. You can top the Brie with a variety of ingredients, such as honey, jam, or fresh fruits like apples, pears, or grapes. The sweetness of the toppings will complement the mild flavour of the Brie.
Another option is to make a grilled cheese sandwich with Brie. Layer Brie slices between two slices of crusty bread, such as sourdough or a French baguette. Butter the outside of the bread and grill it until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. You can also add other ingredients to the sandwich, such as sliced apples, arugula, or ham.
For a more indulgent option, you can bake Brie in puff pastry. Place a whole wheel of Brie in the centre of a sheet of puff pastry and top it with a layer of jam or honey. Fold the pastry over the Brie, brush it with egg, and bake it until the pastry is golden brown. Serve this with crusty bread on the side for a delicious and impressive appetiser or main course.
No matter how you choose to pair it, Brie and bread is a classic combination that can be enjoyed as a simple snack or a decadent meal.
Cheese and Bread: Perfect Pairing Ideas
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Brie and fruit
Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a delicate flavour and a gooey texture. It is typically served as its own course before dessert, or as an appetiser. It is best at room temperature, so it should be removed from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, peaches, and blackberries. It can be baked with fruit and nuts to make an easy, elegant appetiser. To make a baked Brie with fruit, follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the Brie on a small baking sheet or in a small oven-proof bowl lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle honey on top of the Brie.
- Spread a layer of fruit preserves or compote on top of the Brie. Popular choices include raspberry jam, strawberry jalapeno jam, apricot preserves, and blackberry compote.
- Top with toasted nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melty.
- Serve immediately with crackers, apples, or small slices of crusty bread.
In addition to baking, Brie can also be added to salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. It can be paired with deli meats such as ham or turkey, and condiments such as mustard or fig jam. It can also be used as a spread on a cinnamon raisin bagel or a burger. When choosing a beverage to pair with Brie, champagne, soft and fruity red wines like Pinot Noir, or acidic white wines like Sauvignon Blanc are all good options.
Chipotle's Cheese: A Guide to Their Cheesy Delights
You may want to see also
Brie and wine
Brie is a soft-ripened, circular French cheese with an ivory colour and greyish, off-white rind. It has a soft, buttery, nutty flavour and a gooey texture. Brie is a versatile cheese that can be served as an appetiser, dessert, or part of the main course. It is traditionally served with crusty bread or crackers and pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, or grapes, as well as honey.
Brie's mild flavour and soft texture make it a great cheese to pair with wine. The go-to beverage to pair with Brie is champagne. However, brie also pairs well with several wines and beers. Soft and fruity red wines, such as Pinot Noir, beautifully contrast the mellowness of Brie. Acidic, herbaceous, and dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc also complement the cheese well.
When pairing Brie with wine, it is important to consider the flavour and texture of the cheese and choose a beverage that will enhance these qualities without overwhelming them. For example, pairing Brie with an acidic wine will bring out its velvety texture.
In addition to wine, brie also goes well with certain beers. Hearty beers, like Scotch Ale, Stout, or Porter, are excellent choices. Fruitier beers or highly carbonated Pilsners can also enhance the experience of enjoying Brie.
Panela Cheese: Best Ways to Use It
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Brie is a soft, mild French cheese with a nutty flavour. It is used in a wide variety of dishes, both cooked and uncooked.
Brie is ready to eat when the outside is firm and the inside is slightly bouncy and resilient. Unripe Brie will be stiff to the touch, while overripe Brie will be runny.
Brie is best served at room temperature, so it should be taken out of the fridge 30 minutes before eating. It is often served with crusty bread or crackers, and it pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, or grapes.
Soft and fruity red wines, such as Pinot Noir, pair well with Brie. Acidic, herbaceous, dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc also work well. For beer drinkers, a hearty beer like a Scotch Ale or a fruity beer will enhance the experience.
Brie is a very versatile cheese and can be used in many dishes. Some simple recipes include a Brie and ham sandwich, baked Brie with honey and pecans, or a cinnamon raisin bagel with Brie.
