Appetizer - Baked Brie with Mushrooms and Thyme

By á-849

Brie is even more indulgent when warm and covered with mushrooms. Serve this appetizer on a cold evening with a big red wine.

Ingredients

• 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms*
• 2/3 cup dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 6 ounces crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, halved or quartered if large
• 6 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced shallot (about 1 large)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 13- to 14-ounce Brie (about 5 inches in diameter; preferably in wooden box)
• 1 baguette, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Rinse dried porcini to remove any grit. Place porcini and wine in small saucepan. Bring to simmer over low heat; remove from heat. Let soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer porcini to work surface and coarsely chop. Line strainer with damp paper towel; strain wine into small bowl and reserve.
Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add crimini and shiitakes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until brown, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add shallot and stir until soft, about 1 minute. Add chopped porcini and strained wine. Boil until almost dry, about 1 minute. Stir in thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool.
Remove Brie from box, discarding lid and paper. Using sharp knife, cut top rind from Brie; discard. Return Brie to box. (Alternatively, stack two 12-inch rounds of foil and fold up around bottom and sides of Brie, crimping foil at edges, leaving top exposed.) Mound mushroom mixture atop Brie. DO AHEAD Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place Brie with mushrooms on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until cheese begins to melt and mushrooms are warmed through, about 15 minutes.
Transfer Brie in box to plate. Serve hot with baguette slices.

test-kitchen TIP
To cut the top off the round of Brie more easily, first place the cheese in the freezer for a few minutes to firm it up slightly.