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Exploring the Creamy Delight
Brie cheese, with its luscious creamy interior and edible white rind, is a true indulgence for cheese lovers worldwide. Known for its mild, buttery flavor and smooth texture, Brie has a special place in the hearts and palates of many. If you’re a fan of this delectable cheese or looking to explore its versatility, you’re in for a treat! In this blog post, we’ll dive into the world of Easy Baked Brie Recipes and Tips guides you to incorporating this delicious cheese into your culinary repertoire. Check out our brie bakers to make serving your brie easily.
Key Takeaways for Easy Baked Brie Recipes and Tips
About Brie and Camambert
Brie is a creamy soft cow’s-milk cheese named after the region from which it originated. It has been made in the town of Meaux, east of Paris, since the 8th century – originally by the monks of the Priory of Rueil en Brie. It was originally known as the “Queen’s Cheese,” or later, the “Queen of Cheeses,” and was enjoyed by both nobility and peasants alike. Today, it is so popular and versatile it’s sometimes referred to as the “little black dress” of cheeses.
True French Brie must be made in the Seine-et-Marne area south of Paris, but many countries now commercially manufacture a similar cheese which is sold as Brie. Brie de Meaux is widely considered the finest French Brie, followed by Brie de Melun.
Camembert is another soft rich cow’s milk cheese, originating from Normandy, in Northern France. According to legend, Camembert was first made in 1791 by Marie Harel, a farmer from Normandy, after receiving advice from a priest who came from Brie. Today, most Camembert is no longer made in Normandy because the name was not protected. If you want to experience the original, look for “Camembert de Nomandie.”
What’s the Difference
In addition to where they are made in France, there are a number of other differences between these two soft elegant cheeses. Both Brie and Camembert are cow’s milk cheeses and have a similar flavor, but Brie is generally milder with a creamy, buttery taste, while Camembert has a deeper, more earthy and intense flavor and aroma.
Size-wise, Brie is often sold as a wedge of the larger wheel, while Camembert is usually sold as a whole wheel. Traditionally, a wheel of Brie measures between 9 and 17 inches in diameter, while Camembert is usually just 5 inches across. Many grocery stores now carry “baby Brie”, which is similar in size to Camembert — this is what is what the recipes in this blog use.
Brie and Camembert are available in supermarkets and specialty stores and are great at both room temperature or baked.
Are they interchangeable in these recipes?
They can be interchangeable, but they do have notably different flavors that will cause the recipe to taste quite different, depending on which you use.
Why is it in a wooden box?
In 1890, an engineer, M. Ridel, devised the wooden box to carry the cheese and allow it to stay fresh for longer distances, such as to America where the box remains popular today. It also allowed for branding. Over time, some cheesemakers also found another use for the boxes in the aging room. Cheese wheels are often aged on a rack and turned daily at the start of the aging process to ensure even aging. Larger wheels can be very delicate when they are young, and the boxes help protect the cheese.
Are the cheese rinds edible?
Yes. You can eat the rind of Camembert, Brie, or any soft-ripened cheese. The white is a natural mold which helps ripen the cheese and prevents the soft, voluptuous interior from drying out. While some prefer to cut the rind off, many find it adds texture and flavor to the cheese.
Tips for Cooking and Preparation
Start cool. If you need to cut into the cheese (e.g. I advise cutting off the top, or cutting holes into the cheese in some of my recipes), it’s easier to do so after it’s been chilled in the fridge for at least 30 mins., but generally, cheese is easier to work with when at room temperature.
Smaller is better. While Brie and Camembert can come in many sizes, you’ll want to use the smaller size for my small Baker and the larger size for my large Baker. For these recipes 7 oz. or 8 oz. cheese sizes are best and the perfect size for 2-4 people.
Improvise. If you don’t want to heat up your kitchen, or are short on time, putting the cheese and Baker in the microwave for 60-90 seconds works well for most recipes. Adjust cooking time as necessary for your microwave.
Try a theme. Picking a theme for your gathering can be fun and gives you a chance to try new recipes. Try a French wine and cheese party. Share your stories about trips to France or favorite French foods and encourage your friends to share their stories. Love Mexican? Prepare a variety of Mexican dishes, including brie topped with jalapenos and salsa, served with tortilla chips. Then get some fun decorations and photo props people can interact with. Viva Fiesta!
Experiment & have fun. Try other things besides cheese in your baker. I’ve found it’s great for a variety of foods, like corn bread, macaroni & cheese and warm dips. The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
Plain crackers, fresh baguette slices or flatbread crisps are convenient serving choices that won’t detract from the cheese.
Apples, grapes and pears are slightly acidic and will bring out the velvety texture of the cheese.
If you don’t have the all of the ingredients for a recipe, just pour your favorite jam, marmalade or honey on top of your brie and bake – super simple!
Create a Brie platter with an assortment of fruits, nuts, and crackers.
Serve warmed Brie with crusty bread for dipping.
Incorporate Brie into a cheeseboard for an elegant appetizer.
Easy Baked Brie Recipes
Baked Brie with Caramel Sauce This warm and gooey Brie dish is perfect for a cozy gathering.
Ingredients:
- 1 small wheel of Brie cheese
- 3 Tablespoons Stonewall Kitchen Sea Salt Caramel Sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- Sliced baguette or crackers for serving
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Brie wheel in a small Brie Baker or on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle Stonewall Kitchen Sea Salt Caramel Sauce over the top and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the Brie is soft and gooey.
- Serve with sliced baguette or crackers.
Brie and Fig Jam Grilled Cheese Upgrade your grilled cheese sandwich with the creamy goodness of Brie and sweet fig jam.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of your favorite bread
- 4 oz Brie cheese, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fig jam
- Butter for grilling
Instructions:
- Spread fig jam on one side of each slice of bread.
- Place Brie slices between two slices of bread, jam side in.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
- Grill the sandwiches until golden brown on each side and the Brie is melted.
- Slice and serve.
Brie and Cranberry Orange Stuffed Chicken Breast Elevate your dinner game with this elegant Brie-stuffed chicken dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 oz Brie cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup Stonewall Kitchen Cranberry Orange Marmalade
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice a pocket into each chicken breast, being careful not to cut through.
- Stuff each pocket with Brie slices and Orange Cranberry Marmalade.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
I have written a cookbook called “Easy Brie.” I wrote this cookbook as an addition to Brie Bakers (small and large ceramic bakeware I designed). You can purchase them on my website: Christina Home Designs or on Amazon.
Conclusion
Brie cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can elevate your culinary creations with its creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor. Whether you enjoy it as a simple appetizer with fruit and nuts or get creative with recipes like baked Brie, grilled cheese, or stuffed chicken breast, Brie cheese is sure to delight your taste buds and impress your guests. So, head to your local grocery store or Amazon, grab some Brie, and start exploring the world of creamy indulgence today!