Entertaining can be hard work and stressful at times. It really doesn’t need to be when you have some quick and easy dishes in your repertoire that taste great and look impressive.
I recently made this dish for a get together of a bunch of friends. A casual affair where we all bought something along for lunch. I really felt like I was cheating by bringing a couple of rounds of brie along, but it was a success with all.
The brie was prepared up to baking point at home. Not that there is much preparation involved. It may seem simple but the addition of the rosemary, juniper berries and brandy magically transform humble brie to something quite addictive. The most difficult part of this recipe is wrapping it in baking paper and tying it with string. You will need an extra pair of hands for that step.
With the brie prepped, it was then just placed in our host’s oven to cook before serving. Hot molten delicious brie which we scooped up with slices of fresh crunchy baguette, bought from the markets that morning.
Ingredients
- 2 x 175g rounds of brie
- 8 juniper berries - crushed
- 2 sprigs of rosemary - leaves only
- 60 ml brandy
- cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cut four large squares of baking paper, approximately 30cm x 30cm. Fold each piece of baking paper in half, and then in half again, to create a smaller square, four sheets thick.
- Unwrap your brie from its packaging and place each round of brie on one of your folded squares. Fold your baking paper up the sides of the brie and then secure the paper with kitchen string (not plastic) around the side of your brie. Repeat with the second square of baking paper. Do not cover the top of your brie with baking paper.
- Once your brie is wrapped, cut three quarters of a circle into the top of your brie. Cutting under the circle as well, creating a lid which is still attached.
- In and around the cut circle of each round of brie, place rosemary leaves, juniper berries and cracked pepper. Pour in 30mls of brandy under the cap and a little sprinkle onto the top of each round.
- The prepared brie can be placed in the fridge until ready to use at this stage. When your guests arrive, place brie in a 220 degree C pre-heated oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is hot and molten.
- Serve immediately with slices of crunchy baguette.
Nutrition
Such a simple dish, using few ingredients, I do encourage you to give this one a try. Make sure to get stuck in to it as soon as it is out of the oven. If you are a lover of cheese you will be suitably impressed, and so will your guests.
Do tell dear Belly Rumbles’ reader, what is your entertaining secret?
Sara xxx
If you enjoyed this recipe, why not share it with others?
Martine @ Chompchomp
I have the in-laws coming over for afternoon tea-dinner tonight. Was serving cheese anyway….and I have rosemary in the garden. I’m all set to recreate this deliciousness!
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Everytime I open my fridge and look at the brie in there I think of your amazing recipe… I know you told me the brie is too amazing for this treatment, but looking at these photos, I’m reminded how amazing it tasted!!
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Oozey cheese poooorn 😀 It is super simple but I would love you for a lifetime if you brought it to my house haha.
Lizzy (Good Things)
Sublime!
Gourmet Getaways
Oh you reminded me I haven’t made this for ages!!! I will have to have it again soon! There is nothing as good as melted cheese!
Christine @ Cooking Crusade
I remember the first time I tried molten brie.. it was so good that my two friends and I demolished the whole thing with a large loaf of turkish bread. It makes me never want to eat brie the regular way again!
muppy
yum, i want some now!!!!
Iron Chef Shellie
This looks absolutely HEAVENLY!! and so simple! omg <3
Trisha
This is manna from heaven! Trying this out asap!
Christina @ The Hungry Australian
Your molten brie looks insanely good, Sara. I want one all to myself right now ;D
Sara
Thanks so much Christina, it really was way to edible.
JJ - 84thand3rd
I want one of these, for myself, immediately. And wine, lots of red wine.
Sara
Goes so so very well with wine, way too well!
Anna @ The Littlest Anchovy
I believe those are my mitts diving into the molten madness! I still think about this weeks later. Now I have the recipe – mwahahahaha!
Sara
Those are your gorgeous mitts. Such a willing hand model xxx
milkteaxx
oohhh simple and cheesy ( cheesy pun intended)!
Sara
Hehehe 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
This is the perfect way to prepare it-it’s so easy! 🙂
Sara
It sure is
john | heneedsfood
I was so in love with this when you made it. Such a simple idea yet so impressive.
Sara
Thanks John, I was really happy with the result, but even more so when you all enjoyed it too.
Gaby
. I wish cheese didn’t make me stuffy 🙁
Sara
Awe that is a shame 🙁
vegeTARAian
Wowser, that looks amazing! What could be better than oozy cheese on fresh bread?!
Sara
I must admit I am a sucker for oozy cheese 🙂
Phuoc'n Delicious
*wipes drool off from keyboard*
Mmmmm… Such a tasty dish to entertain guest! I made something similar once but for a picnic with ricotta, chilli, lemon, thyme and EVVO. YUMMO! This however trumps it with all that molten goodness. Stealing this idea!
Sara
Hehe, sorry to have you drooling 🙂