Andy Montoya
Warm brie cheese is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. The French traditionally serve brie with baguette or another crusty bread, such as a ciabatta loaf, and it is also commonly served with crackers or crostini. Brie can be paired with acidic foods, such as fruits like apples, grapes, or pears, or sweet and zippy sides like fig jam or honey. It can also be paired with more substantial foods, such as unsalted pecans or candied walnuts, or served as part of a charcuterie board with meats such as salami or prosciutto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Warm, room temperature |
| Texture | Melty, gooey, soft, creamy |
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, snack, side |
| Pairing | Sweet, salty, acidic |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, puff pastry, baguette, bread, fruits, cured meats, honey, jam, nuts |
| Specific Examples | Baked brie with honey and pecans, brie with apple slices, brie with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted garlic, brie with pesto and pine nuts |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Fruits, crackers, and meats
Warm brie is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas for serving it with fruits, crackers, and meats:
Fruits
Fruits with sweetness and a tangy flavour pair well with warm, melted brie. Fruits can be put on top of the brie or served on the side. Try apples, grapes, or pears to bring out the velvety texture of the cheese. Other fruits that pair well with brie include apricots, dates, and figs. For a simple, classic combination, serve brie with honey and fresh fruit.
Crackers
Crackers are a convenient choice to serve with warm brie as they won't detract from the cheese. Any sturdy, crunchy cracker will work well. Try serving brie with crostini, or plain crackers, for a simple option. For a gluten-free alternative, there are also many sturdy, gluten-free crackers available.
Meats
Brie pairs well with cured meats and can be served as part of a charcuterie board. Try serving brie with salami or prosciutto. For a more substantial meal, serve brie with a stuffed pork chop or on top of sliders.
Mac and Cheese Magic: Brisket's Best Pairing
You may want to see also
Baked brie recipes
Baked brie is a popular appetizer that can be served at parties, holiday gatherings, or any festive occasion. It is easy to make and can be paired with various toppings and side dishes. Here are some recipes and tips to help you create delicious baked brie dishes.
Classic Baked Brie:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place an 8-ounce (225-gram) wheel of chilled brie on the baking sheet. Using chilled brie is important to ensure it doesn't melt too much during baking.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is soft in the middle.
- Carefully transfer the baked brie to a serving dish using the parchment paper. It will be fragile, so handle with care.
- Top the baked brie with your desired toppings. Honey, toasted pecans, thyme, rosemary, or walnuts are popular choices. You can also use jam, such as cherry or fig jam, or cranberry sauce.
- Serve the baked brie warm with crostini, crackers, or baguette slices for spreading.
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry:
- Wrap a wheel of brie in a sheet of puff pastry. You can also add toppings, such as cranberry sauce, roasted nuts, honey, or jalapeño jelly, before wrapping it in the pastry.
- Brush the puff pastry with an egg wash.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden.
- Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve with sliced baguette or crackers.
Whipped Brie:
- Spread a layer of whipped brie onto a plate or bowl.
- Top with a layer of strawberry compote, shaved asparagus, radishes, lemon zest, mint leaves, and chilli flakes.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Serve with crackers or crostini.
Baking Tips:
- Baked brie is best served warm and gooey. It starts to firm up about 10 to 15 minutes after baking, so time your baking accordingly.
- You can prepare the brie wrapped in puff pastry ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for up to a day before baking.
- If you prefer a stronger flavour, use an economical or budget brie instead of a high-end one for your baked brie dishes.
Cheese Cubes: How Many Are Too Many?
You may want to see also
Breads and pastries
Warm brie is a delicious treat and can be served with a variety of breads and pastries. The French traditionally serve brie with a baguette, but other crusty breads like sourdough or ciabatta are also popular. The bread provides a contrast to the creamy, rich texture of the cheese.
For a more indulgent option, brie can be baked inside puff pastry. This can be served as an appetizer or as a centrepiece for a charcuterie board. To make this, place the whole wheel of brie in the centre of a sheet of puff pastry. Spread a layer of jam on top of the cheese and fold the pastry over the wheel. Brush the outside of the pastry with egg and bake until golden. This option provides a flaky, crispy texture to complement the soft cheese.
Another option is to create an open-faced sandwich or crostini with brie. To do this, spread a layer of brie on a slice of bread, such as sourdough or baguette, and top with your desired toppings. You can then place the bread under the grill to melt the cheese. Some popular toppings for brie crostini include honey, nuts such as pecans or walnuts, and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. For a more savoury option, try pairing brie with apricot jam or cooked apricots, or even sun-dried tomatoes and roasted garlic.
When serving warm brie with bread or pastries, it is important to choose options that can withstand the weight and texture of the cheese. Anything crusty and crunchy will provide a nice contrast to the creaminess of the brie.
The Perfect Pairing: Figs and Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nuts and honey
Warm brie cheese is a popular appetiser and is often served with honey and nuts. This combination is not only delicious but also easy to make.
To make this appetiser, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the brie round on a baking sheet and score a circle on the rind about a quarter of an inch from the edge. Avoid cutting into the cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is warmed through and the centre is melted.
While the brie is baking, toast the nuts in a separate pan over medium heat. You can use a variety of nuts such as pistachios, walnuts, pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts. Toast them until they are slightly brown and release a nutty aroma. Add honey, a pinch of salt, and cinnamon to taste. Stir to coat the nuts evenly.
Once the brie is ready, transfer it to a serving plate and top with the honey-nut mixture. You can also add dried fruit like apricots, figs, raisins, dates, or cranberries. Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices. Enjoy the warm, gooey brie with the crunchy, sweet, and nutty topping!
Big Bag of Cheese: How Many Servings?
You may want to see also
Wines, beers, and juices
Warm brie cheese is a decadent treat, and the right wine, beer, or juice can elevate the experience. Here are some ideas for each category:
Wines
When it comes to wine, soft and fruity red wines like Pinot Noir are an excellent choice to contrast with the mild, buttery flavour of brie. If you prefer white wine, acidic, herbaceous, and dry varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc will also complement the cheese well.
Beers
For beer enthusiasts, hearty beers such as Scotch Ale, Stout, or Porter are ideal companions to brie. Fruit beers or highly carbonated Pilsners can also enhance the experience, offering a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese.
Juices
If you're looking for a non-alcoholic option, light and fresh fruit juices like apple or grape juice are perfect. These juices mirror the sweetness of the cheese while adding a tangy note that pairs beautifully with melted brie.
So, whether you're toasting with champagne, sipping on a full-bodied red wine, or enjoying a crisp beer, there are numerous ways to enhance your warm brie experience with the right beverage.
The Art of Serving Myzithras Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some sweet foods that pair well with warm brie cheese include honey, dried cherries, candied walnuts, and fruits like apples, grapes, pears, apricots, and figs.
Some savoury foods that go well with warm brie cheese are salami, prosciutto, crackers, baguette, crostini, puff pastry, and meats.
Warm brie cheese can be used in a variety of recipes, including baking a wheel of brie in puff pastry with jam, honey nut baked brie, garlic and herb baked brie, and chocolate and brie panini.
Brie cheese pairs well with champagne, soft and fruity red wines such as Pinot Noir, acidic white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, and beers like Scotch Ale, Stout, or Porter.
Warm brie cheese can be baked in an oven or microwave and served as an appetizer or side dish. It can also be melted and used in sandwiches or grilled cheese.
