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BRIAN IN THE KITCHEN  brought to you by Stittsworth Meats

November 28 2011

Cranberry Baked Brie

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 (8 oz.) round of triple-cream brie
2-3 tbsp. toasted sliced almonds
1/4 C. prepared port-and-fig cranberry sauce
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp. whipping cream


Port and Cranberry Sauce

1 1/3 C. ruby Port
1/4 C. balsamic vinegar
1/4 C. brown sugar
12 dried black figs, chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
12 oz. fresh cranberries, washed
3/4 C. granulated sugar

In a non-reactive saucepan, combine port, vinegar, brown sugar, figs, rosemary sprig, and pepper.

Over medium heat, bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Simmer mixture approximately 10 minutes, til reduced and well combined.

Remove and throw away rosemary sprig.

Stir in cranberries and granulated sugar.

Simmer at a moderate heat until most of the berries have burst and the sauce has thickened and reduced somewhat, 10-20 minutes, depending on the final consistency desired.

Cool and transfer to serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate. Serve cold.

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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and lightly oil a flat baking sheet.

Roll out your thawed sheet of puff pastry a bit.

Put your wheel of brie on top of the pastry. Leave the rind on the cheese for the best result.

Spread cranberry sauce (or the filling of your choice) over top of the brie. Sprinkle with almonds.

Wrap pastry sheet up around cheese and make a little bundle on top. If you want a really clean presentation, you can put the almonds and cranberries directly on the pastry and put the cheese on top of them, bundle the pastry up and trim as needed, then flip the package over before baking. This will give your baked brie puff pastry recipe a cleaner presentation. But it's up to you how you'd like to assemble it!

Place your pastry-wrapped brie on the prepared baking sheet.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk and whipping cream.

With a pastry brush, brush top and sides of pastry with egg/cream mixture. This will give your baked brie with cranberries a nice glossy finish.

Bake until puffed and golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let this baked brie recipe cool about 5 minutes before serving.