Playing with Cheese: Killer Baked Brie

Its a love affair that I am not ashamed to admit. Cheese is so good. You can eat it plain. You can melt it. You can shred it on top of things. You can broil it. you can fry it... It's just so versatile.... and delicious!

In July, I posted about how to make a simple Cheese Platter for easy entertaining. But cheese can also be doctored in other ways to make it even more exciting, and keep every dinner party fresh and new. Seeing as I have a dinner party coming up this weekend, I thought I would treat myself to a Valentine's Cheese filled dinner, and maybe give a few of my friends some inspiration.

Sidenote, I start Graduate School today! Super excited... and if you are reading this, wish me luck :)

1 wheel brie cheese (8 inch diameter)

1/4 cup fig jam or fig butter
1/4 cup crushed nuts (pecans and walnuts work best)
1 pie crust or puff pastry sheet
1 egg, beaten, with a little water added
crackers or bread to serve it with

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Using a sharp knife, cut the wheel of brie in half horizontally and separate the top half of the wheel from the bottom half. 

 
Working on a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry or pie crust so that it will fully cover the brie. Place the bottom half of the brie in the middle of the puff pastry. Sprinkle the bottom half of the brie with the crushed nuts.

Add the fig butter or fig jam, then place the top half back on top of the fig butter layer. Smash it a little to keep everything in place.

Fold the excess pastry around the wheel. I just sort of work my way around making a 5 fold pattern on top.

Place the Brie into a baking dish, or on a cookie sheet. Brush the top and the sides of the puff pastry with egg water mixture.This will help to make it golden brown.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry begins to turn golden brown, then turn the temperature down to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes. Serve on a pretty platter with slices of baguette or your favorite cracker.

Oozing with melty cheese, fig, and nuts.

A cool thing to note, in case you place on doing this for a party. The brie can be made, wrapped securely and stored in the freezer up to a month ahead of time. When you are ready to bake it, take if out of the freezer and place for a day in the fridge to defrost. Before baking, brush with the egg.

So irresistible, he couldn't eve wait for the photo to be taken ;)