Cooking Lesson #667: Creamy-Crispy Brie Bites

 …from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? Are you a Brie cheese lover? What is Brie, you ask? Brie cheese is made with rich and creamy milk, therefore, Brie is rich and creamy with a center that could only be described as voluptuous.
 
The flavor is subtle and unique as is the milk which is lightly flavored from the wild grasses and flowers upon which the cows (or goats) feed. These also vary by region and season and that’s why Brie cheeses from different locales can have such distinctive—and local—flavors.
 
Brie is a soft, creamy, buttery cheese that originated in France and is now produced internationally. It has a creamy interior with a soft, edible rind of white mold. Brie is traditionally made from cow's milk but can also be made from goat's milk. The cheese is high in fat and rich in calcium with relatively high sodium content. It's also a good source of protein and vitamins A and B-6.
 
Creamy-Crispy Brie Bites have a crispy phyllo exterior, creamy melted Brie, or honey or honey-sweet apricot jam, tart Granny Smith matchsticks, crunchy Marcona almonds and a touch of earthy thyme. These little bites are like a whole cheeseboard spread in a single bite. They’re great as an appetizer or snack. The looks of the crisp edges with ridges are so compelling, you certainly won’t have any leftovers to be repurposed.
 
Ingredients 
1 package frozen prepared phyllo dough shells
12 1-inch cubes of Brie Cheese
3 tablespoons honey or apricot jam
6 teaspoons chopped Marcona Spanish almonds
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
36 match-cut pieces of sour apple (Granny Smith)
 
Ingredients

1. Preheat an oven to 375° F.
2. Place the phyllo shells on a parchment-line sheet pan.
3. Place 1 cube of Brie into the center of each shell.
4. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of apricot jam or honey into each shell.
5. Sprinkle the Brie with chopped almonds and chopped thyme leaves.
6. Bake for 10 minutes until the Brie is soft and gooey.
7. Garnish with matchstick sliced apples and serve.

ChefSecret:  While the rind is edible, I prefer to trim the cheese for this purpose. You can top the Brie with anything, sweet or savory, that you like, from fruit and jam to nuts and bacon.

Quip of the Day:  You sure are the brie’s knees. 😊
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross.
#Appetizers #Snacks #Brie #Phyllo #MarconaAlmonds #2023 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
                                                                                                      ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023

---