The Versatility of Brie

By Emma Bowen, Assistant Deli Manager

Brie is one of the world’s most popular cheeses. It originates from France, where it was invented by monks in the early 7^th century. This cheese is made from cows’ milk with a creamy and soft texture. It is a great addition to any holiday charcuterie board. Brie can be topped with a variety of things to accentuate its delicious flavor. It can also be baked, creating an even gooier texture.

One great choice for topping Brie is orange marmalade and rosemary. Before you begin you will want your cheese to sit out and get to room temperature before topping and serving. Once at room temperature, start cutting off the top of the cheese rind. This way guests can dip into the cheese with no issues. Once this is complete, spread a layer of orange marmalade on top. Next, finely chop fresh rosemary and sprinkle on top. To give it a little more crunch, try adding toasted pine nuts as well. Shortbread cookies pair great with this sweet and savory appetizer.

When baking Brie you’ll want to serve it hot. At room temperature this cheese already has a soft creaminess to it, but once baked it takes it to another level! All you must do is score the top of the rind and bake at 350F for about 7-10 minutes. It comes out of the oven super melty, so it is best to bake it in the dish you plan on serving it in. If you are looking to elevate it even more, try wrapping it in phyllo dough before you put it in the oven. This gives it a beautiful flakey crust. It also helps keep the cheese warm while serving.  

When planning your next holiday cheeseboard, keep Brie in mind. The combination of toppings is endless, and the baked Brie is always a crowd pleaser!