Brie Bacon Toasties Food

CRISPY BACON & BRIE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH WITH CARAMELISED ONIONS

Steps:

• To make the caramelised onions, heat a large frying pan over medium heat then sauté the onions in the olive oil with the salt until soft and golden. Add the sugar and vinegar and allow to caramelise. Set aside.
• To make the sandwich, butter the bread on both sides then top with the onions, brie cheese and bacon.
• Grill in a hot pan/sandwich press until golden brown and heated through.
• Serve immediately.

BRIE & BACON TOASTIES

Steps:

• Set the grill on high and put a sheet of foil under the grill rack to catch any cooking juices and save on washing up later. Lay the bacon on the rack and grill for 2 minutes. While it is grilling, slice the cheese (aim to get about 8 long slices) and core and slice the pear.
• Put the slices of bread under the grill as well for just under a minute until the bread is evenly toasted on one side only. Keep an eye on it - a whole minute is just that little bit too long and the bread may start to char.
• Flick the bread over and cover the untoasted sides first with a layer of pear slices, then the grilled bacon and then the rest of the pear slices. Don't worry if it looks a little rough and ready - it all adds to the effect. Drape the brie on top and scatter over the pecans, roughly breaking them with your fingers as you go.
• Grill for another minute or so, until the cheese is melted and oozy. Remove and eat straight away with the rocket or watercress on the side.

BRIE STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a medium-hot pan, melt 2 ounces of butter. After butter melts, but before starting to brown, add walnuts. Reduce heat to medium and lightly cook walnuts until you begin to smell aroma of toasted nuts. Add bananas to walnuts. Cook approximately 3 to 5 minutes or until bananas begin to caramelize. Remove pan from heat (very important, do not add liqueur to pan while still on burner), add banana liqueur and return to heat. If pan is hot enough, let most of the liquid evaporate until removing from heat. Add maple syrup and set aside in serving container. Combine half-and-half, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs, sugar, pinch of salt in shallow bowl. Stir vigorously to combine cinnamon with mixture. Dip challah bread into egg mixture, make sure that bread soaks up liquid.
• Heat pan to medium. Melt tablespoon of butter. After butter has melted and before it begins to brown, add 2 slices to pan. Gently lay bread into butter. After approximately 30 to 45 seconds, turn over 1 slice, place brie on cooked side of challah. Place other piece of challah bread on top of brie (uncooked side still facing up). Add more butter if necessary. Cook another minute, turn over, cook 1 more minute. Continue with the remaining bread and cheese in the same manner.
• Place on a plate, spoon your syrup mixture on top and enjoy.

BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY-PECAN-BACON CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lay the bacon in a large skillet, then cook over medium heat until golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Drain the bacon on paper towels, let cool, then finely chop.
• Combine the bacon, pecans, cranberries, apricots, rosemary, vinegar, pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Remove the Brie from its packaging. Cut off the top rind of the round of Brie, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edges (use a sharp knife and go in from above at a slight angle). Discard the rind you have removed. Put the Brie in a small baking dish. Top with some of the cranberry-pecan-bacon crumble, and scatter the rest around the Brie. Cover the dish with foil, and bake until the cheese is warm and gooey, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Serve with bread, crackers and apple and/or pear slices for dipping.

BRIE APPETIZERS WITH BACON-PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings., Add onion and shallot to drippings; cook and stir 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in coffee, water, vinegar, plums, brown sugar, maple syrup, chili sauce and pepper. Bring to a boil. Stir in bacon. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until liquid is syrupy, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature., Transfer mixture to a food processor; pulse until jam reaches desired consistency. Place cheese slices on toasted baguette slices. Top each with 2 teaspoons jam.

BRIE AND BACON SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat a pan over medium heat, cook bacon to your liking.
• Meanwhile butter bread if you wish; spread one side with a little chutney.
• Divide hot bacon between chutnied bread slices, top with cheese, bread and cut to serve.
• Eat at once.
• Good served with a green salad on the side.

BRIE, CRANBERRY AND BACON PANINI

Steps:

• If using panini rolls, cut each roll in half. If using regular bread, spread the outside of each slice with butter.
• Spread 2 1/2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce each on 2 slices of bread.
• Layer the brie over the cranberry sauce.
• Top with 2 slices of bacon and the top layer of bread, remembering to keep the buttered side facing outwards.
• I use a George Foreman grill to cook the panini- press the lid down to heat the sandwich right through and cook for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.
• Alternatively, cook in a skillet, pressing the sandwich firmly with a spatula while cooking.
• Serve hot!