It’s All About the Brie
Brie Three Ways
An Easy ApPEtizer for Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving Week!
As the years roll by, Thanksgiving week has become one of my favorite times of the year. It's a weekend dedicated to family, football, shopping, Christmas decorating, and of course, indulging in some delightful feasting!
For as long as I can remember, I've been in the kitchen during Thanksgiving preparations, assisting in making the perfect sides and creating delectable desserts like apple pie and my latest fan-favorite, pumpkin cheesecake. With an array of fun recipes to explore for Thanksgiving, I understand that many find the holiday season overwhelming, with the extensive prep, cooking, grocery shopping, and house cleaning. But fear not! It doesn't have to be a stressful time. One trick I've learned over the years is to shop for most ingredients the week before Thanksgiving, reserving fresh produce for the final stretch. Many ingredients, including the turkey, can be purchased in advance and frozen, just be sure to allow sufficient time for thawing.
Now, let's talk about one of my favorite appetizers—Brie, presented in three delightful ways. These simple methods are designed to save time while leaving your guests impressed, requiring less than 5 minutes of prep and minimal cooking time.
Brie Three Ways
Option 1: Baked Brie with Toasted Nuts
Bake a wheel of Brie in a ramekin at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes until it turns irresistibly ooey and gooey.
Meanwhile, toast 1 cup of your favorite nuts (slivered almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, or walnuts) in 2 tablespoons of butter on low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of honey after toasting for 5 minutes.
Remove Brie from the oven, cut off the top layer of rind, and generously top with the toasted nuts. Serve warm with your preferred crackers; I recommend Lesley Stowe raincoast crisps.
Option Two: Baked Garlic & Brie
Cut the top off a garlic head to expose the cloves.
Bake the whole garlic head with a drizzle of olive oil until tender in aluminum foil (approximately 45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit).
Place the roasted garlic on a plate and serve with warm or cold Brie alongside sliced baguette or crackers.
Pro tip: You can either squeeze out the garlic or use a small fork to extract each garlic clove, ensuring it's spreadable.
Option Three: Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
Acquire premade puff pastry dough or prepare it from scratch.
Roll out the puff pastry flat, ensuring it can cover the entire Brie wheel. Place the Brie in the center, cut off the top rind, and choose your topping—whether it's plain, berry jam, or your favorite nuts.
Create an egg wash (1 egg white + 1 tablespoon of water), apply the wash as a glue. Fold pastry so the Brie is completely covered, making a nice sealed package. Brush remaining egg wash on top of the dough and cut steam vents on the top.
Bake for 20-35 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown.
Serve warm with extra crackers or enjoy the puff pastry as a bread substitute. I love adding some apple slices next to the Brie for a delightful touch.
I hope you and your family savor one of these recipes during this Thanksgiving season! Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
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