Elegant Baked Brie Food

ELEGANT BAKED BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Cut Brie cheese horizontally in half, creating two equal rounds similar to a layered cake. Spread pesto sauce on the cut surface of 1 half; sprinkle pine nuts and brown sugar over pesto layer. Place the other Brie half on top of pesto mixture.
• Separate crescent rolls and cover entire Brie round with crescent roll dough, sealing all the gaps. Place covered Brie on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until Brie cheese is softened and crescent rolls are lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

CRANBERRY-BRIE KNOTS

Steps:

• Brush the bottom of a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place the pizza dough on top. Brush the top of the dough with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature until just about doubled in size, 1 hour.
• Cut off the rind from the sides of the Brie wheel, then cut the Brie into 18 equal-sized cubes. Set aside.
• Lightly flour a work surface. Using floured hands, shape the dough into an 18-by-4-inch-rectangle. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into eighteen 1-inch-wide strips.
• Shape each strip into a 10-inch-long rope and tie into a knot, tucking the two ends of the rope underneath it. Divide the knots between two baking sheets and let rest until slightly puffed, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• Cut a small slit in the top of each knot with a sharp paring knife and use your fingers to create a small well. Spoon a heaping 1/4 teaspoon cranberry sauce into each well and top with 1 piece of Brie. Reserve the remaining cranberry sauce for serving.
• Brush the tops of the knots with 4 tablespoons of the butter. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Bake until the cheese is melted, and the dough is fully cooked and turning light golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• Meanwhile, stir together the remaining cranberry sauce and 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl. Serve with the knots for dipping.

BAKED BRIE

Steps:

• preheat oven to 375.
• place brie in center of small baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. If using a bigger size, baking times will be longer. You want the brie to be soft to the touch and still maintain its shape, no oozed cheese.
• remove cheese and place desired amount of jam over wedge. (I used half a jar and it was perfect for the wedge size).
• place back in oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until you notice the jam is soft and glaze-like.
• remove and using a spoon, make sure to spread jam over cheese until it is all covered.
• Top with slivered honey roasted almonds and a couple turns of fresh cracked pepper and serve immediately with an assortment of crackers, toated sliced baguette, and sliced crisp apples or pears. Serve also with a white wine (i.e. pinot grigio to complement the flavors).