Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Tuesday Stuff and Things

I'm completely ripping off Janna's Tuesday post theme, but since she's on my mind, I figured it's ok. You see, yesterday Janna suggested a topic for my blog that I think is great, but it requires a little more research. That'll be tomorrow's post.

I only have one stuff/thing, but work with me here. Today I'd like to share the recipe for one of my all-time favorite snacks. Technically it's the type of thing you make for parties, especially small groups where you can all pack around the table. I should also point out that I can't have it here because we don't have an oven. Let me know if you decide to try this!

Baked Brie with Brown Sugar

What you need:
- a wheel of brie (whatever size you want)
- ample brown sugar (I don't know, I guess half a cup)
- crackers - I prefer plain (without seeds or flavors)

What you do:
- preheat oven to 400°
- cut top layer of rind off in one piece, roughly 1/2" thick or thinner
- press brown sugar onto cheese so fully covered, roughly 1/4" thick
- cover brown sugared cheese with rind that you cut off
- place into oven safe dish and bake for roughly 20 minutes

* keep an eye on it as the time is an estimate. When the cheese is soft & starting to bubble, it's done

Tricky part:
I've done this both with and without an oven safe dish. I have a dish that's the exact size of a small wheel, but for larger wheels you may have to improvise. I've used regular pans, but if you do this, you have to cook the cheese upside-down so you can flip it upright onto the serving plate. It's a little messier that way but still delicious.

Remove the top layer of rind and serve with crackers. I recommend having enough knives for everyone because your guests will devour it.

Enjoy!

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always love those easy, easy apps. This one sounds great.
One of my favorites involves taking a package of cream cheese, a small can of deviled ham spread and mixing them together with a bit of horseradish (a half teaspoon maybe) and some Worcheshire Sauce and dried or fresh chopped chives to taste. Chill a bit in the fridge and serve with crackers.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Mmm, that sounds good. I've made something similar but with crab instead of ham. Drool.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Shoot! I forgot to do Stuff and Things today! Oh, well... not the first time.

Sounds freakin' awesome! I'll definitely try it for the next get-together we have. Thanks for the rundown.

I can't wait to see tomorrow's post!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, I laughed when I got to your blog because you didn't do it. Oh well. :) Yes, this is soooo good and super easy. The only way to screw it up is if you over or under cook it, but it still tastes good.

I should also point out that we usually still eat the to slice. :)

Nadine said...

Sounds delicious!! I love brie and I love brown sugar, so it sounds like the perfect combo!!

Thanks for sharing!

Spy Scribbler said...

Oh, man, I'm so hungry! I love cheese. Love, love, love cheese. And brown sugar is my favorite kind of sugar!

I think it's supremely unfair that I'm allergic to dairy. It's just not fair. All the yummy things have dairy.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine, you're welcome!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Oh, Spy, I forgot you can't have dairy! I would have put a disclaimer at the beginning for you to stop reading. :(

Spy Scribbler said...

Oh, no. The vicarious experience is my joy, plus, when the memory of the last piercing headache and nausea fade, I cheat until I get sick again.

Next time I cheat, it's going to be Brown Sugar Brie. I only wish I could send some to you, all hot and oven-baked!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Oh good. But please don't make yourself sick!

I think I know what I'm bringing to my girlfriend's house the next time I go...

WendyCinNYC said...

Between your blog and Gumbo Writer's, I'm going to gain 10 pounds before Christmas.

Thanks a lot.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

LOL, sorry Wendy. :)

Zoe Winters said...

Sounds great! I made homemade french onion soup in the crock pot the other day. :D

Jewel Allen said...

Mmm,I would love some of that right now!

Sounds better than leftovers for lunch :-)

Robin said...

Yummy yum. I want this right now! It's that time of day. Lunch never lasts until dinner for me. There needs to be an extra mini meal in there somewhere.

Mmmmmm. Brie. Mmmmmmm. Brown sugar. Somebody feed me!

Anonymous said...

Hey you could always get one of these.
http://www.sunoven.com/usa.asp

That way you could have an oven. Not like you have a problem with lack of sun.
While we are on the subject of food....
I had to stop and see Mark about his network. Guess where I ate?
Here is a hint,
Wonderful bits of potato heaven.
Birds also love them, but no birds because the snow is here.

Are you jealous?

I thought about buying some for you and mailing them down to you.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Zoe, I love soup. We have it every now and then here, but not as often as I used to.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Pink, that's funny because I had leftovers for lunch and they were delicious. Last night I told Ibis that I think mashed potatoes might be the best invention in the world. After the brie, of course.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Penguin, a sun oven... that's interesting. I'm on the top floor too so the sun is easily accessible.

As for the potato thing, why can I not figure out wtf you're talking about? All I can think of is JW's and their white chicken chili (which I had in September). Hint please. And birdseed? Or are you talking GR? Good lord.

Rachel Burton said...

You had me at the recipe title. Yum. I may have to try this over th eholidays - thanks!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, you HAVE to try it!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Rachel, you must! That's why I decided to post it now - so people can share. :)

Spy Scribbler said...

I saw you Facebook that you'd crossed the finish line and won NaNo! Congratulations, Melanie! Big congratulations!

Good luck on those last 10,000 words. No problem for you, I bet!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks! I'm excited. :)

Anonymous said...

This made me think of a funny memory of the two of us. I came over to your little apartment on Halsted and we ate your baked brie while we watched the finale of "Sex and the City"! I have a wacky memory.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Lisa, yes! I could eat that every day!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you were close with JW's.
But a few more blocks east of it.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Ok, you really need to just tell me because this will drive me crazy. :)