Canadian Brie Fondue
This Brie fondue appetizer is sure to get your guests spinning. Simply topping the Brie with a delicious blend of autumn’s harvest favourites and allowing them to melt and spread together onto a platter is a clever and fun way to entertain! If entertaining a larger group double or triple the recipe and prepare a few platters, your guests will be wrestling for the last cube!
Ingredients
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ tsp dried thyme (or ½ tsp (2 mL) fresh thyme)
¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped onion
¼ cup (50 mL) finely diced butternut squash
¼ cup (50 mL) diced red peppers
¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped apple
1 tbsp (15 mL) water
1 round (200 g) Canadian Brie Cheese, divided in half
4 - 6 cups (1 – 1.5 L) cubes French Bread or baguette
1 tsp (5 mL) Maldon Sea Salt or coarse sea salt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375*F (190*C).
2. In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, thyme, onions, squash and peppers; sauté for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add apple, sauté 2 minutes. Stir in water and sauté for about 8 to 10 min or until squash is tender and liquid has evaporated.
3. On large ovenproof platter, arrange Canadian Brie halves (semi-circles) with backs touching and cut edges facing out; spoon vegetable mixture on top of each half. (Make ahead: Cover and refrigerate, for up to one day, bring to room temperature before baking or allow extra time for melting). Bake for 8 to 12 min or until the cheese melts and spreads across the platter. Remove from oven; place half of the bread cubes into melted cheese and sprinkle with Maldon salt (see note). Serve immediately with remaining bread in a basket alongside the platter with knives to spread once the cheese sets. Yield: 4 to 6 appetizer servings
Cooking Tip:
Brie cheese size does not have to be exact nor does it have to be a circle, that’s the beauty of this recipe! You should just consider which side of the plate the cheese is going to spread to when it melts.
Note:
Maldon salt is a pyramid-shaped soft flaky crystal sea salt that adds a little crunch and fresh flavour to foods. Crush it between your fingers before sprinkling. Maldon salt can be found in the spice section of most grocery and specialty stores, if not available use coarse sea salt.
Source: Dairy Farmers of Canada