There are some things to be said about the colder weather in Canada recently – enjoying warm christmas-esque without feeling guilty, for one. Whether you are hosting your own warm up gathering this long weekend or just looking for a tasty, albeit fancier snack, try this baked blueberry brie for a nice hearty warm-up from the cold. The ingredients are simple, and the preparation is quick and easy. I found the minimal effort required to make this snack a huge appeal for me. Moreover, if you don’t have blueberries, then raspberries, strawberries and even apples go so great with brie. The final product is melty, gooey, and cheesy goodness that is perfect for dinner dates and movie nights.
Brie is very soft at room temperature it is encased in an aromatic rind. The rind is actually edible, believe it or not! Many people are not a fan of the strong flavor of the rind, but it brings an interesting profile to the brie and works so well with some savory toppings I’ll mention below.
You can combine a baked brie with a charcuterie board and this will be the spotlight for your dinner party. You can also pair with some dessert wines or a glass of rose for a classy pairing.
Adding lemon zest is ideal, but here I have orange zest which gives a sweet and pungent citrus flavor to the Brie.
Ingredients:
Wheel of Brie cheese (choose size proportional to number of servings/people)
½ tsp Italian seasoning or rosemary
5 tablespoons of fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or diced apples
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp lemon or orange zest
2 tbsp water
Instructions:
There are a few ways to melt Brie, my favorite no-brainer is to microwave it for 5-10 seconds in the microwave (until semi-melted)
Alternatively, you can bake the Brie at 350 degrees F. cut the top off the brie wheel and place in a baking dish. Then bake for 12 minutes until the centre is softened.
Putting a baked Brie in the microwave for no more than X seconds will do the trick. Overheating the brie will cause it to lose its shape and look unappetizing for your dinner guests.
Blueberry sauce:
- Combine blueberries, honey, water, and lemon/orange zest in a medium sized saucepan
- Once boiling, reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes
- Pour over baked brie and serve immediately with crackers, fruits or baguette
If you’re lacking some of the fruitier ingredients, there’s a lot of options for baked brie here are some ideas:
- Fig jam
- Cranberry sauce or baked craisins
- Apricot jam and pistachios
- Pears and cayenne pepper
- Honey and walnuts
- Fresh thyme, rosemary and garlic brie
- Mushrooms with onions
The toppings for brie are endless and whether you’re a fan of savory or sweet, there’s a lot of options to choose from.
Placing the Brie on a charcuterie board for presentation is a feast for the eyes. I love pairing baked Brie with my cranberry thin crackers