Brie is sold in different size rounds.
Baking Brie accentuates the flavor of this mild cheese named for a province in France from which it originates. Baked Brie, coupled with dried cherries or cranberries, caramelized pears or fresh apples makes a sweet appetizer. Savory choices include baked Brie with Prosciutto, mushrooms, shallots, jalapeno peppers or nuts. Creative recipes incorporate both sweet and savory ingredients.
Preparing the Brie
Prepare Brie for baking by slicing off the top rind. Use the tip of a sharp knife to get under the edge of the rind and shave it off with the blade. Placing the Brie in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes prior to preparation, which makes it easier to remove the rind.
Temperature
Brie is baked at different temperatures for different recipes. Bake Brie on its own for 20 minutes at 425 degrees F. Use a lower temperature for longer to blend flavors for sweet or savory recipes.
Baking
For baked Brie alone, put it back in its own wooden box, if available, and place on a cookie sheet. Alternatively, layer several sheets of aluminum foil and wrap them around the edge of the cheese, leaving the top exposed, and place the Brie on a cookie sheet. For recipes adding other ingredients, a baking dish might be required.
Sourdough Method
Cut a hole in the center of a loaf of sourdough bread. Scoop out the interior until there is only a half inch of bread crust remaining. Use a sharp knife to cut small slices in the edge of the rind around the sides of the Brie to allow the flavor of the cheese to leach out into the bread while baking. Split the cheese in half horizontally and insert sweet or savory ingredients in the middle if desired. Put the Brie inside the loaf and bake on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.
Tags: cookie sheet, sweet savory, Bake Brie, baked Brie, edge rind, savory ingredients
