Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites Food

SPARKLING CRANBERRY BRIE BITES

Steps:

• Rinse cranberries in a colander, discarding any that have become soft. In a medium bowl, heat syrup in the microwave just until warm. (I think mine took 30-45 seconds.) If it is too hot, wait a few minutes--you don't want your cranberries to pop. Add cranberries to the syrup. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight.
• Drain cranberries in a colander; do not rinse. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking sheet. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour.
• Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
• Serve immediately. The wetness from the cranberry sauce will start to creep up on the sugared cranberries, making them not so sparkly, so these are best assembled last minute.

CRANBERRY BRIE BITES

Steps:

• Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 24-well mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place the brie in the freezer for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.
• On a well floured surface, roll the sheet of puff pastry into a 10x15-inch rectangle. Cut the pastry into 4 strips lengthwise. Then, cut the pastry crosswise into 6 strips, creating 24 squares. Press the pastry squares into each well of the muffin pan, letting the excess stick up over the edges.
• Cut the firm brie into 24 (½-inch) slices. Place a piece in the center of each pastry square. Top each with about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown on the edges and the cheese is bubbly. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove the bites from the pan and garnish with sea salt and pepper, if desired.

SPARKLING CRANBERRY & BRIE BITES

Steps:

• 1. Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat the maple syrup in a small saucepan until just warm. Pour over cranberries. (Make sure the syrup is just warm, not hot, or the cranberries may pop). Gently stir with a spoon to coat. Cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight. 2. The next day drain the cranberries in a colander (do not rinse). Place the sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add half the cranberries and roll them around until they're lightly coated in sugar. Repeat with the other half. Place on a baking sheet and let dry, about 1 hour. 3. To assemble, top the crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and about 3 cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

SPARKLING CRANBERRY AND BRIE BITES

Steps:

• Rinse the cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat the syrup in a small saucepan until just warm. Pour over the cranberries. (Make sure the syrup is warm, not hot, or the cranberries may pop.) Gently stir with a spoon to coat all the berries. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight.
• The next day drain the cranberries in a colander. Place the sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add half of the cranberries and roll them around until lightly coated in sugar; repeat with the other half. Place on a baking sheet and let dry, about 1 hour.
• To assemble, top the crackers with one slice of Brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and four or five sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

CRANBERRY AND BRIE BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
• Place pastry on a clean work surface and cut into 36 squares. Brush all squares with egg wash, then place one square on top of the other to make 18 stacks, each with 2 squares of pastry.
• Place on prepared sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake until puffed and golden, about 13-15 minutes.
• Remove baking sheet from oven and top each puffed square with a piece of brie cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes.
• Place on a serving platter and top each with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce and a small sprig of thyme for garnish.