Brie is a French cheese that boasts an irresistibly creamy and mild flavor profile. It pairs perfectly with many foods and beverages.
Fruit and nuts make for an excellent combination, and can easily be enjoyed on its own or melted into different dishes.
How to cut brie
Brie is a delicate French cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or sliced thinly and spread onto crusty bread. It also makes an excellent addition to many sweet and savory recipes.
When purchasing brie cheese, look for a wheel that is ripe enough to taste smooth and creamy. An underripe wheel will feel hard when touched, while an overripe one will have softened and become runny when pressed.
Cut a wedge of brie in half using a wide-bladed knife and slice off the top rind with ease. If the cheese is firm, this should come off cleanly when cut; if not, place in freezer for 30 minutes before trying to peel with knife. If that doesn’t work, wrap again in plastic wrap and freeze again until easy to cut with sharp knife.
Once the cheese has been thinly sliced, place it on a serving platter with a knife next to it so guests can help themselves. You may wish to cut the wedge into smaller pieces so guests can grab one piece without getting too much rind on their hands.
You can slice the brie into triangles, similar to cutting up a cake. Start at the center and slice into smaller triangles until you have made several cuts. Doing this helps prevent your cheese from drying out too quickly.
How to serve brie
Brie cheese is a beloved cheese that can be served in many ways. Typically, it’s cut into wedges and served with crackers and fruit; it also goes great with beer or charcuterie.
When serving a large wheel of Brie, it’s essential to cut it into triangular wedges or horizontal slices. Be sure not to slice off the pointed tip of each wedge as this is considered the most flavorful part.
Another way to serve brie is by heating it in the microwave. This will make the cheese gooey on the inside and scoopable on the outside. Alternatively, you could bake it in the oven for a similar effect.
Cooking brie over the campfire is another popular option for a delicious and rustic snack. Grilling Brie will give it an irresistibly smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with its creamy texture.
To enjoy baked brie, you’ll want to serve it with sturdy crackers that can support the cheese while it melts. Avoid chips or wafer thin crackers as these aren’t durable enough to withstand high temperatures.
Sesame crackers make an excellent alternative to traditional crackers and will enhance the nutty flavors of brie cheese. You can find sesame crackers in various shapes and sizes at your local supermarket.
Multigrain crackers make an excellent snack. They come in various shapes like circles, squares and triangles and can be found at most supermarkets. You can even make delicious brie sandwiches with them by spreading melted cheese over them and topping with fresh or dried fruits of your choice.
When making a brie recipe, be sure to cook the cheese for at least 5 minutes before serving so that it’s warm and ready to eat. Doing this prevents the cheese from melting too quickly and becoming rubbery or dry.
How to store brie
Brie cheese can often be found on sale at grocery stores, making it a popular snack or baking ingredient. Unfortunately, like all cheeses, it doesn’t stay fresh forever; therefore, proper storage of this cheese is key for maintaining its freshness longer and using less of it overall.
Brie cheese often develops a white powdery bloom or “rind,” which is usually indicative of spoilage. Although this mold, called Penicillium candidum, is harmless, it can alter the flavor and even cause health issues if consumed in large amounts.
When storing your brie cheese, it’s best to store it in the fridge and then let sit at room temperature for several hours before eating. This allows the cheese time to develop its aromas and texture and helps ensure freshness longer.
If you’re uncertain about your brie’s condition, cut a small piece and examine it for any discoloration or signs of spoilage. If the color changes, toss out the old brie and replace with a fresh one.
Before eating the cheese, smell it to check for an off odor. A bad odor could mean the cheese has gone bad and should no longer be edible; be sure to discard any moldy or rotting cheese before consumption.
Brie cheese has a higher moisture content than hard cheeses, so it spoils faster. Therefore, it’s best to consume it within a few days after purchase.
To keep brie fresh, wrap it in wax or parchment paper and store in the refrigerator. You may also freeze it using Tupperware containers or freezer bags.
How to bake brie
Baked brie is an effortless way to enjoy gourmet cheese dishes. Simply wrap the cheese in puff pastry and bake until soft and melted, you can also add a sweet filling or drizzle it with honey for extra special touches.
For this recipe, a large wheel of brie is ideal; however, smaller wedges or slices may also work. Cut the wheel into triangular wedges (perfect for serving on a cheese platter) or horizontal slices depending on how you plan to serve it.
To bake a brie cheese, the most straightforward method is to wrap it in puff pastry. However, I suggest using two pieces instead of one large sheet as this tends to overbake and become soggy. With extra layers created by two sheets of pastry, you’ll get an evenly flaky crust all around, keeping your cheese well-sealed and cooked through.
To do this, roll out the pastry to a rough 11-inch square on a lightly floured surface. Place the brie in the middle of the dough and fold over any loose edges for an attractive package.
Next, sprinkle the brie with some salt to bring out its rich flavor and texture. You can do this by using a coarse, medium-grain cheese salt.