Baked Brie

Baked brie adds an elegant touch to any party or gathering. Whether you're hosting a wine and cheese tasting at your home or you simply want an appetizer that's both easy to prepare and implies class and elegance, brie cheese offers endless possibilities.

Brie cheese is a cow's milk cheese that hails from France. Brie originated in the province of Seine-et-Marne, in the northern portion of France. Brie should be a pale, yellowish white color with a white crust on top. The crust is actually mold and is meant to be eaten, not separated from the cheese. It adds crunch and tangy flavor to the soft, moist, tart brie cheese underneath. The cheese is formed into wheels and sold in blocks or wheels. Usually the entire wheel is baked, although it may be sliced to form two thinner wheels.

Originally there was just one type of brie, but now there are many specialty brie cheeses around the world. Herbed brie contains various herbs mixed into the cheese. Double and triple brie are also available. These types of brie have extra cream added to the mixture during processing. The result is superb, fat-rich and creamy brie that’s heavy on the calories but delightfully sinful in flavor.

There's actually an etiquette to eating brie cheese, particularly in France where it originated. To serve brie, a complete wheel of brie is sliced into wedges. It’s considered rude to take just the tip of a wedge of brie cheese, or to select the best wedge for oneself. Eat the entire slice you take, and wait for your host or hostess to offer the choicest portion of brie. If you don’t know which slice is the choicest one in that particular wheel of brie, allow someone else to serve you to save face.

Cheese aficionados often herald baked brie as the quintessential way to enjoy this savory cheese, while brie purists prefer sliced brie placed on dainty water crackers to enjoy the flavors of this cheese. Brie_en_Croute is a well-known brie recipe using puff pastry dough.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recipes for baked brie. Brie is often baked with the following ingredients:

• Pastry crust
• Bread crust
• Jam or jelly
• Pecans, almonds and walnuts
• Cranberries or other berries
• Fresh fruit such as grapes

These recipes can be made by even the novice chef. All you'll need is:

• a wheel of brie cheese
• a cookie sheet and aluminum foil
• sliced almonds or and sweetened cranberries
• brown sugar.

Preheat the oven to 350. Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Slice the wheel of brie in half so that you now have two thinner circles of brie. Put the cut side down onto the foil. Sprinkle the almonds or cranberries on top of the cheese. Use a dinner plate to gently press them into the cheese. Now sprinkle brown sugar over the top as thick or thin as you'd like. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the brie starts to melt. You’ll want to keep a close eye on the cheese or else it will melt too much and you will have a puddle. Remove from the oven, and serve warm or cool on crackers.

Try any of the following wonderful baked brie recipes:

• Basic Baked Brie: Another version of the classic recipe.
• Brie with Fruit: A new twist on an old favorite includes fruits and nuts.
• Baked Brie With Raspberry Jam: Sweet jam pairs with savory brie for a warm, gooey match made in heaven.
• Jalapeno Baked Brie and Mexican Baked Brie: Spice twists on an old classic, these recipes will have you reaching for a glass of water. If you love south of the border food, try either recipe for a spicy kick.

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