Now that we are quickly heading into the holiday season, I am full of joy with the anticipation of family coming together. Thanksgiving is a wonderful celebration of Southern cooking where many of our favorite foods come together on one delicious plate. The feast starts with coffee on the couch, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade and doesn’t end until we have somehow, beyond all reason, managed to savor a slice of pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream!
I’m always looking for a new appetizer recipe to fill the foodless void between breakfast and dinner. As we greet loved ones and enjoy the day, there is nothing more pleasing than a beautiful baked round of Brie accompanied by Crostini. This recipe for Baked Brie with Cranberry-Apple Chutney from Taste of the South’s Southern Thanksgiving issue is sure to be a new pre-feast tradition!
- 1 slice bacon, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon minced shallot
- 1⁄2 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sweetened dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 (8-ounce) round Brie cheese
- Crostini, to serve (recipe follows)
- Garnish: fresh thyme, fresh parsley
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 7 minutes. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet.
- Add onion and shallot to pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add apple, vinegar, cranberries, brown sugar, thyme, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool slightly.
- Place Brie on prepared pan. (Do not remove rind.) Bake until warmed through, about 10 minutes. Place Brie on a serving plate; spoon apple mixture over Brie. Serve with Crostini. Garnish with thyme, bacon, and parsley, if desired.
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1⁄4-inch-thick rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Place bread rounds on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake until toasted, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely.
To complete your feast, you’ll find many more appetizers, side dishes and dessert recipes in this issue!
