You know those special moments in life when you have the realization that you’ve crossed over to the next stage…
Like when a couple of quietly-placed quarters, some well-hidden Easter eggs, a few half-eaten carrots and some strategically placed cookie crumbs lose a bit of their magic… when picture books become chapter books… library cards become driver’s licenses, college applications are exchanged for job applications… and Baked Brie replaces Nacho Cheese Doritos… These are the moments, the bridging moments, the moments that seep one stage into the next to create an individual who is more mature today than she was yesterday.
Take this Brie for example. It was not anything I ever ate growing up. I liked my Extra-Sharp Cheddar (and still do!). I liked my Heluva Good French Onion Dip with potato chips. I loved my Chicken-In-A-Biskit Crackers, my Doritos, my pepperoni, and my garlic popcorn…but I never ate Brie. And even after I tried it, for the longest time, I didn’t enjoy it.
Until. I. Did.
And now – I realllllly do!
So for me… eating Brie seems a sign of maturity… Do you share in this logic? Or is it just mine?
The only little wrinkle I can figure in my ‘maturity theory’ is if the complexity of a recipe is what determines the sophistication of a person – then I’m still kickin’ it as a young adult – because this is a very simple venture. Preparing Baked Brie is just a matter of warming up your oven, topping the round with anything from honey to nuts, simple jams to compotes, and letting it heat to a warm and melty, buttery, decadent treat.
Such an easy topping to prepare… I combined 3 tablespoons of raspberry jam with 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, and a small zest of orange. Of course, you can use any jam and additional ingredients that you like – I knew I wanted some sweetness and texture to complement the brininess and softness of the cheese.
So now that I’ve added Baked Brie to my repertoire of foods which tell the world that I’m an adult, I certainly hope I don’t have to leave my chicken fingers and chocolate milk behind. I assume it will all balance out somehow…
The world is good.
Buon Appetito!
Ciao!
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Baked Brie
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- Small round of Brie
- 3 Tbsp. raspberry jam
- 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
- 1 Tbsp. dried cranberries
- 1 tsp. orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place Brie on baking sheet prepared with parchment paper.
- Bake for 7 – 10 minutes until center of the cheese feels soft.
- While cheese is warming, combine all other ingredients in a bowl and mix.
- Remove cheese from oven and top with compote.
- Serve warm with crackers or crostini.
This is one of my favorite appetizers to make!! ALWAYS a huge hit!! I agree with Karen, your pictures are absolutely amazing!! Love you girlfriend and miss you like crazy!!
You are a Brie girl! And now I’m ready to share some with you! Thanks for your sweet words, Jamie…Love and Miss you too much, Girlfriend!
I remember when you didn’t like Brie. I tried to get you to eat it twice. Who knows, cilantro might be next, ha ha. I promise you, I will never try to get you to like cilantro and I will never sneak it into any food! Either you like cilantro or you don’t! Once again, your photography is beautifu!!! I love the way the brie looks all melted in with the raspberry and walnut topping. Brie is a great go-to appetizer too!
Hahaha! I’ve always wanted to thank you for your persistence with the Brie… See that – it payed off! The cilantro, well that’s a different story – and I see that you appreciate that too! Thanks for your kind words, Karen!