Decorate Baked Brie

Baked Brie is easiest to decorate while still warm from the oven.

Baked Brie is a fairly simple, easy to prepare dish that is excellent for cocktail parties or as an appetizer before a meal. While baked Brie can be served by itself with bread or crackers, adding decorative food items can spruce up the taste and presentation of the cheese. If you are using baked Brie for salads or recipes, pair the decorative food you want to use with the recipe. For best results, use the best quality Brie available to you.

Instructions

1. Crush 1/2 cup of shelled, unsalted pistachios in a mortar and pestle or with the back of a knife. Place the pistachios on a cutting board and gently roll the edges of the baked Brie wheel a few times until the cheese is coated with the pistachio pieces.

2. Chop 1/4 cup of fresh raspberries or blueberries into small pieces with a knife. Gently pat the fruit dry with paper towels and lightly press the fruit onto the top portion of the Brie wheel using your hands.

3. Put four tbsp. of honey in a small saucepan and heat it over low heat until it is hot. Place the baked Brie wheel on a small serving platter and drizzle the honey over the top and sides of the cheese using the tines of a fork.

4. Pour three tbsp. of brown sugar on a plate and gently roll the cheese in the brown sugar to fully coat it while the cheese is still warm and has not fully hardened. If the brown sugar doesn't stick particularly well, warm the Brie in the oven for five minutes.

5. Heat 1/8 cup finely chopped diced dried apricots in a small saucepan with two tbsp. simple syrup. Using a food brush, brush the top and sides of the Brie with the syrup and apricot mixture while it is still warm. Allow the cheese and apricot topping to cool to room temperature before moving or slicing the cheese.

6. Finely chop 1/4 cup of fresh thyme or chervil and place it in a small, shallow bowl. Roll the cheese in the bowl for several rotations until the outside rind is coated with the fresh herbs.

Tags: Brie wheel, brown sugar, still warm, baked Brie, baked Brie, Baked Brie