Whipped Brie Appetizer With Peppered Fig Compote Food

WHIPPED BRIE APPETIZER WITH PEPPERED FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put the figs and wine in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer, stirring constantly, until most of the Port has reduced, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and reserve.
• Remove the rind from the Brie; you should have about 8 ounces left.
• Put the cold cheese into a mixer with a paddle attachment and beat at medium speed, scraping down the sides from time to time, for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is very white and creamy; beat in the pepper; this can be refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the 'stack.'.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
• Drizzle about one-eighth teaspoon of balsamic vinegar over each slice of baguette in a thin line, brush lightly with oil on both sides and cook each side until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
• Brown the bread in batches.
• Remove from the heat and reserve (the bread can be stored in a plastic bag or container until needed).
• For each serving put a slice of toasted bread ('crouton') on the plate, then angle a quenelle (an oval of cheese shaped with two spoons) of Brie over the crouton.
• Top with a second crouton and another quenelle of Brie, then another crouton. Place about a tablespoon of the fig compote and a sprinkle of sea salt next to the stack and serve immediately.
• Serve the six 'stacks' immediately.

ONE-BITE BAKED BRIE WITH GRAPE-PECAN COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the grapes with the oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until the grapes burst and are very soft, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spread the pecans out on a second rimmed baking sheet, and bake until very golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop.
• Transfer the grapes to a small shallow bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving the oil behind. Stir in the lemon juice and zest and a pinch of salt; set aside to cool completely, then stir in the toasted pecans. (The compote can be made up to a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Cut off just the very edges of the Brie wheel to make a rough square (it is OK if some rind remains at the corners), then cut into 30 cubes. Put a cube in each phyllo cup, and put the cups on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Top each cup with some of the compote, and garnish with a dusting of pepper. Serve warm.

BAKED BRIE WITH FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine the figs, orange zest, thyme, brandy, sugar, vinegar, a few grinds of pepper and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid is syrupy and the figs are softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, discard the zest and thyme and let cool, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or mini chopper and pulse until mostly smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll the pie dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out the outer 2 inches of dough with a rolling pin to make the edge slightly thinner than the rest of the dough. Put the cheese in the center of the dough and top with the fig compote. Trim about 1 inch off the outer edge of the dough. Pull the dough up and over the cheese, folding and pleating the dough all the way around until the cheese is covered. Pinch the dough together at the top to seal.
• Transfer the wrapped cheese to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the dough with the beaten egg and bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board to slice. Serve warm or at room temperature.

FRUIT COMPOTE WITH BRIE

Steps:

• Place cheese on an ungreased oven-proof serving plate. Bake at 400° until cheese is softened, 8-10 minutes., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the golden raisins and cherries, apple juice and vanilla; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in preserves. Spoon over cheese. Serve with crackers.

SUPER EASY MAKE AHEAD APPETIZER: FIG COMPOTE AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Spoon about a tablespoon of the Fig Compote neatly into the bottom of each small drinking glass.
• Take the block of cheese and cut it into sticks about 10 cm (4 inches) long by 2.5cm (1 inch) wide and at least 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) so that the sticks don't break in half too easily.
• Stand 3 cheese sticks in the glass in the compote so that each guest has an individual serving to dip and eat.
• Refrigerate until needed. Circulate with your guests! Enjoy!

WARM BRIE AND PEAR TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
• Arrange tart shells onto prepared pan. Put a piece of Brie cheese into each shell. Sprinkle diced pear and a couple thyme leaves into each shell and drizzle with honey.
• Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted and tarts are golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

FIGS AND TOASTED ALMONDS BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 C).
• Heat brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Add figs and vanilla, and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in almonds and vanilla. Place brie wheel in a baking dish, and pour fig mixture over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until softened but not melted. Serve with water crackers.

FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, bring figs, sugar, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook, partially covered, until figs are tender and liquid is reduced, 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until liquid is syrupy, 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.