Baked Brie With Pepita Granola Food

BAKED BRIE TOPPED WITH SAVORY GRANOLA AND APPLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange the racks of the oven so that you can use two.
• Whisk together the paprika, cayenne, 1/4 cup oil, 2 tablespoons syrup and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, combine the oats, cashews, pepitas, walnuts and rosemary. Add the oil mixture to the oat mixture and stir to combine. Spread evenly in one layer on one of the lined baking sheets. Bake, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crispy, 25 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, add the Brie to the other lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples start to soften and brown, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and 2 tablespoons water, then stir, reduce the heat to low and cover until ready to use. Season with salt.
• Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the dried fruit. Reserve 1 cup of the granola. Let the rest cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container (save this for another use).
• Transfer the Brie to a serving platter and top with the warm apples. Sprinkle on the cup of savory granola. Serve warm with crackers and crostini.

BAKED BRIE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Using a paring knife, score a 1/4-inch border around the edges of the top of the Brie about 1/4-inch deep. Carefully slice off the top rind in one piece using a chef's knife and staying within the border to make a lid; set the top aside.
• Place the Brie in an 8-inch cast-iron skillet and top the center with the sun-dried tomatoes, wine, red pepper, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover with the reserved top rind. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, during the last 10 minutes of baking, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain.
• Remove the top rind from the Brie. Sprinkle the basil over the melted cheese and gently stir to combine. Using tongs, gently toss a quarter of the pasta in the center of the melted cheese until coated and transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining 3 portions of pasta. If the cheese sauce thickens, stir in some pasta water, a tablespoon at a time.

BAKED BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the brie on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper and drizzle with the honey. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until it starts to ooze but not melt. Serve with crackers.

BAKED BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using a warmed sharp knife, or unflavored dental floss (See Cook's Note 1) cut the wheel of brie in half horizontally and separate the top half of the wheel from the bottom half. Sprinkle the bottom half of the brie with the dried cherries, toasted almonds, and brown sugar. Replace the top half of the brie and apply pressure to secure the stuffing. Working on a well-floured surface, roll out the puff pastry so that it will fully cover the brie. Place the brie in the middle of the puff pastry and fold the excess pastry around the wheel. Put the wheel aside. Roll out another piece of puff pastry and cut out a circle the same circumference as the top of the brie. Save the trimmings for decorations. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg on top of the brie in the puff pastry and place the circle on top. Brush the top of the circle with egg. Cut out decorations using cookie cutters or a small knife on top of the brie. Brush the entire top side of the brie with the egg and place the brie on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 to 30 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. See Cook's Note 2.
• Cook's Note 1: Instead of using a knife to cut the brie, use a piece of unflavored dental floss. Make an initial cut half way down, along the outer side of the brie with a pairing knife. Then, take a long piece of dental floss and wrap it around both hands. Starting at the front of the wheel at the initial cut, work through the wheel with the floss, separating the top half of the wheel from the bottom.
• Cook's Note 2: The brie can be made, wrapped securely and stored in the freezer up to a month ahead of time.

FRIED BRIE WITH NUT CRUST

Steps:

• Freeze Brie for 30 minutes. Finely chop all nuts and sesame seeds in food processor. Transfer to medium bowl. In another medium bowl, whisk eggs and cream to blend. Remove cheese from freezer. Dip each wedge into egg mixture and then into nut mixture, turning to coat and pressing gently to adhere. Transfer to plate; cover with plastic and refrigerate until very cold, at least 45 minutes. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Pour enough peanut oil into heavy large skillet to reach depth of 1 1/2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat to 350°F. Working in 2 batches, fry Brie until deep golden brown, turning occasionally with metal spatula, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Serve with purchased jalapeño jelly and baguette slices.