Baked Brie - Two Recipes (Puff Pastry and Phyllo)

<<>> Baked Brie is a popular recipe when entertaining family and friends casually or in more formal circumstances. Allow the Brie in Puff Pastry to cool off before serving (see recipe) and note that the Brie in Phyllo can be made ahead of time and reheated just prior to serving.

Brie in Puff Pastry

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (package comes with 2 sheets)
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 (8 oz) wheel Brie cheese
• 1/2 cup raspberry or apricot jam
• 2 eggs, beaten

Gently roll pastry with a rolling pin to increase the size of the sheet 1 to 2 inches in each direction. Brush both sides of the sheet with beaten egg.

Center the wheel of Brie on top of the pastry sheet. Place nuts on top of Brie and spread jam on top of nuts. Bring all four corners of the sheet together above Brie and twist slightly to form a "bundle." Tie gathered pastry with kitchen/cooking string (tie string in the form of a bow), arranging pastry until you are satisfied with the "bundle" shape.

If desired, brush top of bundle again with a bit of egg wash. Place "bundle" on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 20- 25 minutes until pastry is golden brown. Let stand for 40-45 minutes before serving to avoid cheese that is too runny. Serve with top-quality crackers or cut up baguettes.

Note: I saw Paula Deen prepare this recipe on her television show a couple of years ago and it was absolutely gorgeous and mouth-watering.

For a change of pace, try Baked Brie in Phyllo:

• 1/4 c. apricot preserves; optional
• 1/2 lb. wheel Brie or Camembert cheese
• 1/2 lb frozen phyllo dough, 10-12 sheets, thawed
• 1/2 c. butter, melted
• Fresh dill weed; optional
• Red and green grapes; optional
• Apples, sliced; optional
• Pears, sliced; optional

Wrap the Brie in thawed phyllo dough one sheet at a time, brushing each sheet with melted butter. (Keep unused phyllo covered with damp cloth while wrapping Brie.)

Turn cheese over after applying each sheet of phyllo for even distribution.

Brush phyllo-wrapped Brie with butter.

Cover; refrigerate.

Before serving, place the phyllo-wrapped cheese in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a 425 degree oven 8-12 minutes or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes. Garnish with optional dill weed and fruit if desired. Serve with crackers.

Source: http://www.fortysomething.ca (8 recipes for Baked Brie)

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