Brie And Basil Croquettes Recipes

CAMEMBERT BASIL CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Cut rind from cheese and chop into small chunks.
• Chop the basil finely.
• Make a thick bechamel: melt the butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, and add 4 T flour, stirring with a whisk until it begins to turn slightly golden (about 2 minutes).
• Pour in all the milk at once, whisking continuously until the milk reaches boiling and becomes a thick, smooth sauce (about 3-4 minutes).
• Add nutmeg.
• Add the cheese and basil and stir until the cheese melts.
• Remove from heat.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir in 1 egg, and set the mixture aside, in a large, flat dish like a pie plate.
• Press plastic wrap or waxed paper onto the surface to prevent air from getting to the mixture (which will cause a skin to form).
• Chill overnight.
• Form cheese mixture into walnut-sized balls and dust with a little flour.
• Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Beat the remaining egg.
• Now squish the cheese balls slightly, until about 3/4-inch (1. 875cm) thick, and dip into the egg and then into the bread crumbs, to coat thoroughly.
• Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
• Fry the cheese rounds in batches just until brown, about 1 minute per side.
• Drain on paper towels, and serve warm.

BASIL BRIE IN PASTRY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°. Grease cookie sheet. Mix Parmesan cheese and basil. Cut Brie cheese round horizontally into 2 layers. Sprinkle basil mixture evenly over cut surface of bottom layer. Reassemble cheese round.
• Roll pastry into rectangle, 15x9 inches, on lightly floured surface. Cut out 2 circles, one 8 1/2 inches and the other 6 inches. Place cheese round on center of large circle. Bring pastry up and over cheese, pressing to make smooth and even. Brush top edge of pastry lightly with water. Place 6-inch circle on top, pressing gently around edge to seal. Cut decorations from remaining pastry if desired; moisten pastry with water to attach.
• Bake about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet on wire rack 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers.