Cranberry Compote with Brie Appetizer Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should brie be served warm or cold? ›

Take your brie out of the fridge about an hour before eating it, as it's best at room temperature. For this reason, it bodes well on boards at parties. If pressed for time, consider sealing it in a zip-top bag and putting it in water just above room temp to take the chill off.

Brie cheese is the perfect partner to jam! It pairs beautifully with jam varieties, such as: fig, apricot, blackberry, boysenberry or cherry jam.

No, you don't have to remove the rind before baking brie. The rind is edible and I don't even think you can taste it after the brie is baked. If you want to remove the rind, you can use a sharp knife to carefully cut off the thin rind of the cheese at the top of the wheel. This is easier to do when the brie is cold.

Serve the Brie with crusty bread or plain-flavored crackers that won't compete with the taste of the cheese. This is not the time to pull out the nacho chips. Brie pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, grapes, and berries and unsalted nuts like pecans, almonds, and walnuts.

Traditionally, the French give cheese its own dedicated course at a meal, served just before dessert. However, serving cheese at a party or for an appetizer is widely accepted (and with good reason). Don't hesitate to open your gathering, dinner party, or snack session with delectable Brie.

Based on some studies, there are many health benefits of eating brie cheese. According to some studies, it might reduce inflammation and improve immunity. It might also aid in digestion if had in moderation.

Yes, the soft “crust” of brie, called a bloomy rind, is edible. It grows when the beneficial molds and bacteria used in making cheese are sprayed onto the surface of the cheese before aging. The mold then produces enzymes which help the cheese ripen from the outside in (opposite of how hard cheeses ripen).

Remember too that brie doesn't only have to be served in a puff pastry (commonly referred to as brie en croute), you can forgo the pastry and simply bake it in the oven for 10 minutes and then dress it up with your preferred topping (jam, savory preserves, honey, fruit, nuts, sun dried tomatoes, pesto, etc.)

What is the white coating on brie? ›

The rind is, in fact, a white mold called Penicillium candidum, which cheesemakers inoculate the cheese with. This edible mold blooms on the outside of the paste and is then patted down, over and over again, to form the rind. This process gives Brie its distinctive taste.

Most cheese experts agree that Brie is best enjoyed at room temperature. In this case, be sure to remove from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving. Additionally, it's best to cut a wheel or wedge of Brie from the center point to the outer edge of the rind to get the most flavor out of it.

Cut the top rind off the brie and place in the microwave on high for 60 seconds. Depending on the ripeness of the cheese, it will take 60 to 90 seconds on high to heat and melt. If brie is not yet soft and hot after 1 minute, place it back in microwave for another 30 seconds on high.

While brie is normally served with crusty bread or crackers, it can be paired with a variety of fruits, nuts, or honey.

Make sure to cut it into wedges, rather than slicing it as you would a block of hard cheese. You won't need to spread Brie to enjoy it — just grab it right off the cheese board. You and your guests can cut a small piece and pair it with a bite of crusty bread (especially a baguette) or some dried fruit.

Consider making long, narrow slices.

While Hook notes that you can ultimately slice the cheese however you like, he agrees that not removing the tip makes for a prettier presentation. The takeaway? If you want to be a Brie rule follower, make sure to slice the wheel in long, narrow pieces from tip to rind.