This time of year, it is always nice to have an easy appetizer recipe ready for any unforeseen eventuality. Like when you are invited spur of the moment to someone’s home for dinner and you offer to bring an appetizer, and they say yes. Yikes! Now what do you do?
Well, I’ll tell you what you can do. You can make this delicious topping for baked brie. (You can pick up the brie from your local grocery store on your way over to your friend’s home if you don’t already have some on hand. Crackers too.)
Anyway, this topping takes only minutes to prepare. And it tastes like you slaved over a hot stove for a great deal longer than 5 minutes!
So, during this busy holiday season, I suggest you at least have the ingredients on hand to make this delicious appetizer. And even if you don’t wind up taking this delightful dish with you, you can always make it for yourself. And I am here to tell you, you will not feel bad at all if you have to eat the whole thing by yourself. (Or decide to be magnanimous and share it with your spouse or partner.) You will earn points. That is a true fact.
Well, both Mr. C. and I have come down with whatever this nasty respiratory “thing” is that is going around. We don’t feel bad. We just keep coughing and hacking and keeping each other awake all night long. Hopefully whatever has got us will depart our bodies before Christmas eve, Christmas day, and the 26th. Because we have plans to spend the holiday with our family and extended family friends. And it just so happens that we really like these people. So, it would be a real bummer if we couldn’t participate in the revelries. (Not to mention the great food we would be missing!)
But like with everyone, it is completely out of our control. We are vaccinated against all most anything you can name, wear our masks when it seems prudent, and try our darndest not to pick up germs from, or leave germs with anyone with whom we come in contact. But as experience has shown, somewhere along the line we are all vulnerable.
In the grand scheme of things, we remain well and truly blessed. May you too be happy and thankful for the many blessings that have found their way into your lives.
Peace and love to all.
1 c. dried cranberries
½ c. brown sugar
¼ c. orange juice
pinch ground cinnamon
a few grains of coarse kosher salt
2 T. brandy
1 (8-oz.) round or wedge of brie
½ c. walnuts, opt.
Combine the dried cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, and salt in a small heavy pan. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the brandy. Allow to cool, then store in your refrigerator until ready to use.
When ready to serve, place the brie in an oven-proof container and bake in a pre-heated 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is softened. (Or nuke the brie until soft. Either way works.)
While the brie is in the oven, re-heat the topping. When the brie is soft, remove from oven and slather the topping all over the cheese. Then sprinkle on the nuts. Serve with crackers or Crostini (See how to make crostini on this site.)