Baked Brie with Caramelized Pear

By Chef_Madel

A sweet pear on creamy baked cheese will have guests coming back for more. Serve with sliced baguette, crisp breads or flatbreads.

Ingredients

• Caramelized Pear:
• 1 round (8 oz/250 g) Brie cheese
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sliced hazelnuts or slivered almonds, toasted
• 2 tsp (10 ml) butter
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 pear, thinly sliced
• Pinch each salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup (50 ml)pear or apple juice
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) brandy or pear juice
• 2 tsp (10 ml) chopped fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp/2 ml dried)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) packed brown sugar

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

Caramelized Pear: In nonstick skillet melt butter over medium heat; fry shallot, pear, salt and pepper until shallot is softened, about 5 minutes.

Add pear juice, brandy, thyme and sugar; Bring to boil. Boil, stirring occasionally, until no liquid remains and pear softened, about 5 minutes. (Make-head: Let cool. Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours.)

Place Brie on foil-lined pie plate or in small cake pan; top with pear mixture. Bake in 350 F (180 C) oven until cheese is softened, about 10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with hazelnuts.