Elegant entertaining with baked Brie

Baked Brie -- so elegant and yet so simple. Perfect for December entertaining.

December is made for dreaming, they say, and what nicer thing to dream of than being in your beautiful Lagois kitchen, with the snow falling outside, perhaps… and maybe your favourite music playing throughout.

You might be waiting for your kids to arrive, or maybe the next door neighbours to drop in. You think you’ll make something delicious and elegant for them.

The Lagois team suggests this as a simple but delicious appetizer or as a gentle element of a holiday brunch.

Bonus? You can make it ahead of time.

Creamy Brie in flaky pastry

…with maple pecans and cranberry thyme compote

You will need:

1 wheel Brie, 250 to 300 g

1 sheet all-butter puff pastry, thawed

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Ingredients for the cranberry thyme compote

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 tablespoon orange juice

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme

Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Combine pecans, maple syrup and thyme.

Place the brie in the center of the pastry and spoon the pecan mixture on top.

Wrap the pastry around the Brie and brush with the beaten egg.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden.

For the compote, simmer cranberries, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice, thyme and salt until thickened.

Rest the Brie for 10 minutes, then serve with the compote.

Relax and enjoy!