Basil Brie In Pastry Food

BASIL BRIE IN PASTRY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°. Grease cookie sheet. Mix Parmesan cheese and basil. Cut Brie cheese round horizontally into 2 layers. Sprinkle basil mixture evenly over cut surface of bottom layer. Reassemble cheese round.
• Roll pastry into rectangle, 15x9 inches, on lightly floured surface. Cut out 2 circles, one 8 1/2 inches and the other 6 inches. Place cheese round on center of large circle. Bring pastry up and over cheese, pressing to make smooth and even. Brush top edge of pastry lightly with water. Place 6-inch circle on top, pressing gently around edge to seal. Cut decorations from remaining pastry if desired; moisten pastry with water to attach.
• Bake about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet on wire rack 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers.

BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Roll puff pastry into a 14-in. square. Spread jam into a 4-1/2-in. circle in center of pastry; place cheese over jam. Fold pastry around cheese; trim excess dough. Pinch edges to seal. Place seam side down on ungreased baking sheet. Beat egg and water; brush over pastry., Cut the trimmed pastry pieces into decorative shapes and place on top; brush with egg mixture if desired. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm with apple slices.

BAKED BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.
• Slice the wheel of Brie in half, horizontally, so that the halves are two, flatter wheels of Brie. Lay the puff pastry in the pie pan. Place half of the Brie (rind-side down) onto the pastry dough. Sprinkle almonds evenly over the top. Place the other half of the Brie (rind-side up) over the almonds. Bundle the pastry dough around the Brie.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

HERBED BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix together parsley, garlic, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and salami. Slice the Brie in half crosswise, so you have two wheels. Spread the salami and herb mixture on one of the cut sides and top with the other half of the Brie wheel. Place the Brie in the center of the sheet of puff pastry. Fold the puff pastry up and over the Brie, pressing to secure the pastry together using a little bit of water if necessary. Brush the pastry with beaten egg.
• Bake the pastry in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

PASTRY-WRAPPED BRIE

Steps:

• Roll out 1 sheet puff pastry into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Trim into a circle and place an 8-ounce wheel of brie in the center. Brush the pastry with egg wash; fold into the center over the brie, pressing to seal. Press a smaller round of puff pastry on top, then brush all over with more egg wash. Bake at 400 degrees F until golden, 25 minutes.
• Photography by Alison Gootee

BRIE-FILLED PUFF PASTY WITH BALSAMIC AND BLACK PEPPER STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• For the strawberries: Put the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook until reduced by 2/3, about 30 minutes. Season with the pepper and some salt. Transfer to a small bowl and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
• For the puff pastry: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut four hearts from the puff pastry with the cookie cutter. Put 2 of the hearts on a baking sheet. Divide the Brie slices between the hearts on the baking sheet, leaving a small border.
• Mix the egg white with a splash of water and brush some around the edges of the filled hearts. Top them with the remaining 2 hearts and press the edges to seal. Brush the tops with egg wash, use a small paring knife to cut vents, and sprinkle with some coarse sea salt. Bake until puffy and golden, about 15 minutes.
• To serve: When the puff pastry comes out of oven, toss the strawberries in the balsamic mixture and serve them on the side.

BAKED BRIE PASTRIES WITH ARTICHOKE AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• If you have frozen puff pastry, allow it to thaw.
• Cut the sheet into 9 squares.
• Push the squares into 9 of the spaces a lightly sprayed muffin tin.
• In the food processor, whir enough artichoke hearts to make 1 cup of them when they are very finely chopped.
• In a bowl, combine the artichoke, basil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• Place about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon brie in the bottom of each puff pastry in the muffin tin (note: brie is much easier to cut when it is very cold).
• Add about 1 1/2 teaspoon of the artichoke mixture on top of the brie (use up all of the mixture).
• Top each with the chopped prosciutto and sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden.
• Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving (the brie will be *very* hot).
• Makes 9 appetizers, about 6 servings since some people will have two.