Warm Cranberry Walnut Brie Food

BAKED STUFFED BRIE WITH CRANBERRIES & WALNUTS

Steps:

• Score the side of a wheel of brie all the way around with a sharp paring knife. Cut directly on the "equator" through the rind. Using a long piece of string or dental floss, wrap the string around the brie on the newly made cut. Loop one end of the string over the other (a half knot). Then pulling the ends of the string in opposite directions, cut the brie in half.
• Press the dried cranberries on one cut side of the brie, and the walnuts on the other. Quickly put the 2 sides back together with the cranberries on top of the walnuts. Press together and stuff back in any cranberries or walnuts that fell out.
• Roll out a thawed sheet of puff pastry on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Place brie in center of pastry. Gently pull up edges to ensure you have enough dough to entirely wrap the brie. You can trim off the corners if there is too much dough. Brush the dough with the egg wash. Fold one edge of the dough over the brie and then the opposite side. Fold over the remaining edges and complexly encase the brie. You can trim off excess pieces of dough, if necessary. Flip the brie over so the seam is at the bottom; gently press in the sides to snug the dough against the brie. Brush the top and sides of the wrapped brie with egg wash.
• If you choose to decorate the brie with cut-out shapes of additional puff pastry, use very cold (almost still frozen) dough to ensure sharp lines. Lightly brush the decorative pieces with egg wash. Place the brie in the freezer for one hour (this is a crucial step; see note below).
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the brie on the prepared baking sheet. Bake on the center rack in preheated oven until it is browned and leaking cheese, about 20 minutes. (Only rarely does the brie not leak through, but 20 to 25 minutes is about how long it takes to melt the cheese and brown the pastry.)

BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRIES AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 and place rack in center position
• Use a knife to cut the rind off the top of cheese, discard. Place brie in oven safe baking dish, set aside.
• Chop cranberries, place them in a small microwave safe bowl, add orange juice and stir well. Place in the microwave for 50 seconds, this softens them up. Pour berries over Brie and top with chopped walnuts
• Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is soft and warm. Remove from oven, place on a pretty dish and serve with crackers.

WARMED CRANBERRY BRIE

Steps:

• Peel off top rind of 1 round (8 oz.) brie cheese, leaving a 1/4-inch rim.
• Combine cranberry sauce, brown sugar, extract and nutmeg.
• Top brie with cranberry mixture and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
• Bake in 500°F oven 4-5 minutes.
• Serve with assorted crackers.