Savory Baked Brie Appetizer With Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you take the rind off brie before baking? ›

Do you take the rind off before baking? Keep the rind on, as it will help the cheese hold its shape so it doesn't all melt out. The rind is also edible, so you can enjoy it with the melted cheese, or simply remove the top layer after baking and dunk in crusty bread like a fondue.

As mentioned, brie's mild, yet buttery and nutty flavor pairs well with so many things. Some examples are salami, prosciutto, pickles, apricots, apples, pears, dates, almonds, candied walnuts, and pecans.

Leave cheese for at least 1 hour

Ripe and runny bries for example would appreciate a longer warm-up: even as long as two hours, whilst harder cheddars benefit from an hour out of the fridge. The exception to this rule is fresh cheeses where 30 minutes should be sufficient.

Plain saltines, whole grain and multigrain crackers all complement Brie. The cap of a wheel is often removed ( but this is not necessary) and jams or chutneys with or without seeds or nuts are poured on top. A room temperature Brie is soft enough to spread on most crackers, so it becomes a matter of taste preference.

That's the beauty of this recipe—you can use any types of jam you want! Brie is a creamy, mild-flavored cheese that complements a variety of flavors. Try making your baked brie using strawberry, blueberry, mixed berry, raspberry, or fig jam. If you want to emphasize the season's flavors, try cranberry jam as well!

Brie: Pair a mild, fresh Brie with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Noir. For a more mature Brie, opt for a full-bodied Chardonnay or an earthy red wine like Merlot. Complement the cheese with fresh berries, apples, or a drizzle of honey for a divine culinary experience.

You're welcome to serve your Brie straight out of the refrigerator. But experts maintain that Brie's flavors, aromas, and texture are at their best when allowed to come to, at least, room temperature before serving. In terms of planning ahead, you should be aware that this could take up to an hour or more.

Arrange the cheese on the board, you can precut it into tiny pie slices or cut and remove one as an example of the slices and to feature the ripeness of the cheese. Place strawberries, little clusters of grapes, figs, apple or pear slices around. Herbs or nuts also go well with Brie.

What is the etiquette for brie cheese? ›

Should you avoid the nose? When it comes to slicing Brie, you're traditionally told to avoid "pointing the cheese," or removing the tip (also referred to as the 'nose') of a brie wedge. This is essentially bad cheese etiquette, as you are meant to enjoy the full range of the Brie's flavor, from the center to rind.

Some suggestions: An herby cracker with rosemary, garlic and thyme. Add some olive oil and truffles and you have a savory, earthy snack to tie you over between meals. A dessert option would be pairing Brie with gingerbread cookies, especially Triple Crème Brie.

The U.S. Department of Health doesn't recommend keeping any perishable food sitting out of the fridge for more than two hours — and that's certainly the case for soft cheeses, like cottage or cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella.

As the baked brie sits out, it will harden. You can store leftover brie in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days and reheat it in the microwave or oven to make it melty again. Use a baking dish if you are reheating it as there isn't a rind holding the cheese together.

Not only can you eat the rind, you should eat the rind. Technically, the rind is mold, usually Penicillium candidum, but it's good mold! The rind protects the cheese on the inside and helps to give the cheese its flavor. You're missing out on a big part of the flavor and textural experience if you do not eat the rind.

Lots of people eat brie with the rind intact, but many find its taste and texture unappetizing. The trouble is, the soft, gooey cheese sticks to the rind like glue, making it difficult to remove the rind without taking half the cheese with it.

In this baked brie recipe, I do not remove the rind because I need the surface to spread my jam and to add my beautiful nuts and toppings. The rind keeps the wheel of cheese together, and once you take it out of the oven and slice into it, all the gooey deliciousness oozes out like a nice surprise!

All cheeses should be served with the rind on unless it is wax, cloth, or bark … the flavor profile changes as you get closer to the rind, and as a host, you don't want to deprive anyone of that!"