Sharons Baked Brie Recipes

BAKED BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types).
• Unwrap brie and place in a small, shallow ovenproof dish slightly larger than the brie (to be used for serving) OR a piece of crumbled baking / parchment paper (for transference). (Note 2)
• Oven: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (for 250g/80z), or until melted through. For 500g/1lb brie, increase to 25 minutes. To check, gently touch the centre of the brie - it should feel very soft, like it is about to collapse if you press any harder.
• Microwave option: 2 minutes on high (no one will know!) in 30 second increments.
• Carefully transfer to serving plate / board - it's delicate (transfer on paper if you used paper).
• Drizzle with honey, top with sprig of thyme (if using).
• Serve immediately with crostini on the side for scooping. Provide a knife to cut through the rind and a cheese or pate knife (or similar) to scoop cheese up onto crostini or crackers (plain or fruit/nut flavoured).

BAKED BRIE WITH CARAMELIZED PEARS, SHALLOTS AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallot; cook and stir for 1 minute to soften. Add thinly sliced pears; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in white wine, brown sugar, thyme, salt, and pepper; increase heat to medium-high and simmer until the liquid has evaporated, and the pears have lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Cut a Brie-sized hole in the top of the sourdough bread to within 1/2-inch of the bottom. Cut the removed bread into pieces for serving, set aside. Score the Brie around it's edge, using a paring knife to cut 1/4-inch deep. Cut in half by looping an 18-inch piece of very thin string, or unflavored dental floss around the scored Brie and pulling the ends in opposite directions.
• Place the bottom half of the Brie, cut-side-up, into the sourdough loaf. Top with 1/2 of the pear mixture and sprinkle with 1/2 of the slivered almonds. Place the remaining brie half on top, spread with remaining pear mixture, and sprinkle with remaining slivered almonds. Place on a baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes or until soft and gooey. Serve with sliced sourdough bread and crackers.