i love anything en croute ("in a pastry crust" in french) - kings cake (galette des rois), salmon en croute, wellingtons, puff pastry sandwich, you name it! brie en croute is the whole wheel of brie cheese in a pasty crust. it looks impressive, is easy to make (unless you are making the puff pastry from scratch) and perfect for holiday parties. you can add different ingredients along with the brie wheel (e.g. nuts and fruits), and this recipe is with caramelized onions & mushrooms and dried blueberries.
brie en croute
ingredients:
(1) 8 oz. wheel of brie cheese (approx. 4-1/4 in diameter)
(1) sheet of frozen puff pastry (store-bought)
(1/2) large onion
(1) large button mushroom
(1) tsp. sugar
(1-1/2) Tbsp. olive oil
(1) Tbsp. unsalted butter
(1) Tbsp. dried blueberries
flour for dusting
pinch of salt
for egg wash:
(1) medium egg
(1) Tbsp. water
direction:
1. thaw (1) sheet of frozen puff pastry per package instruction.
2. thinly slice (1/2) large onion and (1) button mushroom.
3. heat a pan on medium-high heat. add (1-1/2) Tbsp. olive oil and (1) Tbsp. unsalted butter.
4. turn down the heat to medium, add onion and mushroom slices and coat with oil/butter. stir occasionally and cook until onions are translucent.
5. add a pinch of salt and (1) tsp. sugar. stir occasionally and cook until caramelized.
- you want to slowly brown them without burning them. so be patient. it will take about 30-35 min.
6. turn off the heat and stir in (1) Tbsp. dried blueberries.
7. set aside and cool completely.
8. preheat the oven at 400 degree.
9. make the egg wash by beating (1) medium egg with (1) Tbsp. water.
10. dust some flour on a clean work surface and gently unfold thawed puff pastry.
11. dust some flour on a rolling pin and roll the puff pastry in to a 11" x 11"x1/4" thick square.
12. cut the puff pastry into (1) 10" diameter circle. save the scraps for decoration.
13. spoon the cooled caramelized onions/mushroom in the center of the puff pastry circle and shape into a 4-1/4" diameter disc.
14. place the wheel of brie on top of the onion/mushroom disc.
15. brush the egg wash along the edge of the puff pastry and fold the pastry around the brie. cut off any excess pastry with a sharp knife and make the bottom as level as possible. then flip, so the seam side is facing down.
16. using cookie cutters or a knife, cut your favorite shapes from the puff pastry scraps and decorate.
17. brush with the egg wash and bake in the oven for approx. 20-25 min. or until gold brown.
18. serve warm with crackers or sliced baguette.
yield: 8 servings