Give Baked Brie A Festive Turn With Grapes Recipes

3 MINUTE MELTY FESTIVE BRIE (SPEED BAKED BRIE)

Steps:

• Unwrap brie and place on a small microwave-proof plate with a rim (so maple syrup doesn't go everywhere).
• Microwave on high for 1 minute 15 seconds, or until the brie is very soft when you prod the centre. Watch the brie as you microwave it - if it starts to puff up too much (i.e. risk of bursting), turn microwave off and leave brie inside - residual heat will continue to melt it.
• Top with pecans, pomegranate seeds and maple syrup. Serve immediately with crackers of choice (choose ones suitable for scooping). I serve this with a spoon and/or small pate knife.

BAKED BRIE WITH GRAPES

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice Brie wheel in half horizontally. Press grapes onto cut side of lower half of cheese. Sprinkle grapes with herbs. Press top of Brie onto grapes, sandwiching them in between the two halves. Set aside.
• On lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry into a 16x10 rectangle. Cut a 6 round and an 8 round from puff pastry. Brush smaller round of puff pastry with egg. Set brie/grape sandwich onto pastry. Brush larger round of pastry with egg and place egg side down over Brie. Press out any excess air and crimp edges to seal. You can decorate top with puff pastry scraps if desired. Brush outside of the pastry with beaten egg. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Tent loosely with foil and return to oven for 10-15 more minutes. Brie should be golden brown and puffy looking.
• Remove from oven and let cool for one hour before cutting into Brie.

ONE-BITE BAKED BRIE WITH GRAPE-PECAN COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the grapes with the oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until the grapes burst and are very soft, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spread the pecans out on a second rimmed baking sheet, and bake until very golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop.
• Transfer the grapes to a small shallow bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving the oil behind. Stir in the lemon juice and zest and a pinch of salt; set aside to cool completely, then stir in the toasted pecans. (The compote can be made up to a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Cut off just the very edges of the Brie wheel to make a rough square (it is OK if some rind remains at the corners), then cut into 30 cubes. Put a cube in each phyllo cup, and put the cups on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Top each cup with some of the compote, and garnish with a dusting of pepper. Serve warm.