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Cheese and crackers variations By Kady Guyton
I've been on the lookout for easy food to bring to parties that doesn't require huge amounts of effort on my part and has ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. Something versatile and easy to transport is also a plus. Baked brie cheese seems to fit the bill pretty nicely. Baked brie is a dish I used to eat quite a lot in restaurants, believing it was something that should only be attempted by those with French accents and funny hats. Once I had to make my own brie, I realized that baked brie is one of those magic trick dishes that only looks hard when it lands on your plate. In reality, they are quite easy for a home cook to make and are endlessly customizable. A bit about brie: it is a cow's milk cheese with a soft texture and mild flavor. The rind is meant to be eaten but is generally tasteless. True brie is made from unpasteurized milk and is therefore unavailable in the United States. All brie sold in this country is made from pasteurized milk and produced within the United States. Because the flavor is so mild, it pairs very well with almost anything and can be served as either a dessert or a starter course. I made a baked garlic herb brie, but have also done versions using chutney or jam and have wrapped them in puff pastry for a more elegant presentation. When looking for the perfect brie to bake with, consider how it will be served. If you plan to serve it standing alone, get a whole round of brie with the rind intact. A wedge will melt and run everywhere. I also like to serve baked brie when it is still warm. The flavor is more intense and it's easier to spread the cheese on fruit or bread. If you'll be serving away from home, assemble everything before leaving the house and pop it into your host's oven or microwave upon arrival. Bries cook up in about 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven, so they are easy to work in among other dishes. Once the first brie is successfully made, you'll never pay for a pre-made one again. Baked Herb and Garlic Brie 1 whole brie, rind intact (approx. 8 ounces) 1. Heat oven to 450. Remove papery skin from garlic and trim off the top half inch. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Wrap loosely in foil and bake for 30-40 minutes until soft. Lower oven to 350. 2. Squeeze out roasted garlic cloves and mash with a fork. 3. Slice brie in half horizontally and spread half the garlic over the bottom half. Sprinkle with half the herbs. 4. Place other half, rind side down, on top of the brie. Spread remaining garlic and herbs on top. 5. Place on a foil-lined pie plate or other oven safe dish and bake for 8-10 minutes or until brie is soft to the touch. 6. Serve warm with sliced bread or crackers. Variations |
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