Frederic Melton
Brie is a mild, buttery, and creamy cheese that is very versatile when it comes to cooking and pairing. Its rind is edible and enhances its flavour over time. To get the best bite of Brie, it is recommended to wait until the cheese reaches room temperature. This gives the cheese time to regenerate its enzymes, achieving its fullest flavour and creamiest texture. When it comes to what to pair with brie, the options are endless. It can be enjoyed on a charcuterie board with crackers, bread, or even a baguette. It can be baked with puff pastry and topped with nuts, honey, or fruit preserves. It can also be melted with ricotta for a fondue, or used in sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Pork, turkey, bacon, prosciutto, ham |
| Fruit | Strawberries, apples, blueberries, cranberries, cherries |
| Vegetables | Onions, garlic |
| Nuts | Walnuts, pecans, almonds |
| Herbs | Thyme, rosemary, tarragon |
| Spices | Cinnamon |
| Condiments | Honey, mustard sauce, maple syrup |
| Bread | Baguette, pumpernickel, gingerbread cookies |
| Crackers | Herby crackers with rosemary, garlic, and thyme |
| Other | Olive oil, truffles, red pepper flakes, parsley, wine |
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What You'll Learn
Brie on toast
Ingredients
- Brie cheese
- Bread, preferably a baguette
- Olive oil
- Flaky salt
- Freshly cracked pepper
- Herbs such as tarragon, thyme, or rosemary
Instructions
- Start by slicing the baguette into your desired thickness.
- Place the brie slices on top of the bread.
- Drizzle olive oil over the brie and bread.
- Sprinkle flaky salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
- Top it off with fresh herbs of your choice. Tarragon, thyme, or rosemary go particularly well with brie.
- Place the prepared toast in the oven and bake at a high temperature.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly toasted.
Variations
There are many ways to customize your brie on toast. Here are some ideas:
- Instead of olive oil, spread some jam or fruit compote on the bread before adding the brie. Sour cherry spiced wine fruit jam or wild blueberry maple walnut fruit compote are excellent choices.
- Add some sliced almonds, red pepper flakes, and parsley for a unique flavor and texture combination.
- Wrap the brie in puff pastry before baking to create a savory pastry treat.
- If you're feeling adventurous, try a sweet and savory combination by spreading maple cranberry sauce on top of the brie before baking.
- For a more indulgent option, score the top of the brie slightly and wrap it in aluminum foil before grilling. This will create a warm and gooey center that is perfect for dipping.
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Crackers
Brie is a mild, buttery, and creamy cheese that is very versatile to pair and cook with. The right cracker can add a nice crunch to complement the smooth texture of the cheese. Here are some cracker options to consider:
- Herby crackers: Look for crackers with rosemary, garlic, and thyme. These flavours pair well with Brie, especially when complemented by a drizzle of olive oil and truffles for a savoury, earthy snack.
- Sweet crackers: For a dessert-like option, pair Brie with sweet crackers such as gingerbread cookies, especially if using a Triple Crème Brie. The ultra-creamy cheese acts as the icing on the crunchy, slightly sweet gingerbread cookies.
- Pumpernickel crackers: Pumpernickel crackers have a slightly sweet-yet-sour taste that complements the buttery flavour of Brie. This option offers a nice balance of flavours and textures.
- Plain crackers: While flavoured crackers can enhance the taste experience, plain crackers can also be a good choice. The simplicity of a plain cracker can highlight the creamy texture and subtle flavour of the Brie, especially if you're looking for a less overwhelming taste combination.
When pairing Brie with crackers, don't be afraid to experiment with different varieties to find your preferred combination. The versatility of Brie means it can be enjoyed with a range of cracker options, so feel free to explore and discover your favourite pairings.
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Baked brie
To make baked brie, start with a cold 8-ounce wheel of brie from the fridge. Score the top of the rind with a serrated knife, making parallel cuts about half an inch apart, and then repeat in the other direction. Place the scored brie in an oven-safe dish and spread two-thirds of your chosen topping over it, dolloping the rest around the sides. The toppings can be customisable, but some common ones are honey, maple syrup, fig jam, rosemary, thyme, pecans, and walnuts.
Place the brie in the oven and bake for 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the cheese, or until the centre is soft and gooey. Baked brie is best served warm, straight out of the oven, as it starts to firm up after 15 minutes. Serve it with crackers, crostini, or a sliced baguette for scooping up the melty cheese. You can also pair it with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, or pears for a delicious contrast.
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Brie and bacon
Whipped Brie with Maple Bacon and Rosemary
This is a perfect appetizer for any occasion. To make this, you can start by frying the bacon with rosemary. Drizzle maple syrup on the brie and top it with the rosemary bacon. Serve it with crackers, vegetables, or crostini for a delicious and elegant starter. This combination of sweet and salty flavours is sure to impress your guests.
Crispy Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelised Onions
This sandwich is a match made in heaven. The key to this sandwich is getting the perfect melt on the brie and a good crisp on the bacon. Fry the bacon until crispy, and prepare the caramelised onions by sautéing them with olive oil, sugar, vinegar, and salt. Layer the crispy bacon, brie cheese slices, and caramelised onions on a slice of bread. You can also add some mozzarella for an extra cheesy kick. Sandwich it with another slice of bread, butter generously, and cook in a skillet or pan over medium heat. This sandwich is the ultimate comfort food and perfect for a cosy fall day.
For something more hearty and satisfying, a brie and bacon risotto is a unique and indulgent option. The creaminess of the brie blends beautifully with the crispness of the bacon, creating a rich and indulgent dish. This dish is perfect for a cosy night in or as a satisfying main course at a dinner party.
For a fun and festive appetizer, brie and bacon bites are a great choice. These bite-sized treats are easy to make and always a crowd favourite. Simply wrap pieces of brie with bacon and bake until crispy. You can also add a sweet glaze or some chopped nuts for extra flavour and texture. These bites are perfect for holiday parties or as a game-day snack.
Customisation and Serving Suggestions
When serving brie and bacon, there are endless customisation options to suit your taste preferences. You can add nuts like almonds and cashews for texture and flavour or dried fruits like raisins, figs, or apricots for a touch of sweetness. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can even replace the bacon with a mix of nuts while still maintaining a similar flavour profile.
Remember, when it comes to enjoying brie, it's best to let it reach room temperature before serving to ensure the fullest flavour and creamiest texture. Additionally, the rind on brie is completely edible and adds to its flavour, so you don't need to discard it.
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Brie and fruit
Brie is a mild, buttery, and creamy cheese that pairs well with fruits, crackers, and bread. Its rind is edible and enhances its flavour over time, adding an earthy tone to the cheese's mild taste. When serving, it is best to let the cheese reach room temperature to allow its enzymes to regenerate and reach its fullest flavour.
Fruits that pair well with brie
Fruits that go well with brie include blueberries, strawberries, apples, and cranberries. For example, a brie and smoked salmon salad with strawberries and red onions is a flavourful combination. Another option is to bake a wheel of brie with puff pastry and top it with nuts, honey, or fruit preserves.
Additionally, Wozz! Kitchen Creations offers a collection of brie toppers, including a Wild Blueberry Maple Walnut Fruit Compote, a Triple Ale Onion Savory Spread, and a Sour Cherry Spiced Wine Fruit Jam Compote. These spreads pair well with soft ripened cheeses, such as brie, Camembert, and Coulommiers cheese.
For a holiday appetizer, consider baking a wheel of brie with a sour cherry compote made from burgundy sour cherries, red wine, and aromatic winter spices. Serve it with toasted pecans, fresh thyme, and slices of French baguette.
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Frequently asked questions
Brie is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of foods. Some popular options include crackers, bread, ham, roast pork, bacon, and fruits like apples and strawberries.
Yes, there are several recipes that incorporate brie cheese. Some examples include brie sliders with peppers, brie and bacon bites, prosciutto-wrapped brie with figs, and brie stuffed pork chops.
Brie cheese is best enjoyed at room temperature to appreciate its full flavor and texture. When creating a cheese board, it is recommended to arrange the cheeses from mildest to strongest. Additionally, the rind on Brie is edible and enhances its flavor over time.
