A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou…keep the thou and the jug – but we think we can do one better with  this baked brie wheel. Savoury and sensual, it’s the perfect food for a romantic occasion…. 

Ingredients

125 gram         Brie wheel
1 package        Frozen puff pastry
1                         Apple, Granny Smith (or your preference)
¼ cup              Blueberries
¼ cup              Pecans
1 Tbsp              Lemon juice
2 Tbsp              Brown sugar
1 tsp                 Cinnamon
1 large              Egg white

Gourmet flatbreads, crackers or baguette.

 Method

1. Thaw puff pastry according to package directions.
2. Preheat oven to 350° F
3. Roll out puff pastry, if necessary, into two circles of 4 or 5 mil thickness (some brands such a Pepperidge Farms are pre-rolled).
4. Place the brie in the middle of one of the circles. Peel, seed and slice apples.
5. Toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add brown sugar and cinnamon and toss until well coated.
6. Place apple slices on top of Brie in a circular pattern.
7. Fill in middle with blueberries, and top with pecans.
8. Place other puff pastry circle on top and crimp around edges. Vent the top with a few small slits using a paring knife. At this point you may want to decorate the top with puff pastry shapes cut out of the excess.
9. Brush entire wheel with egg wash.
10. Place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper or coated with cooking spray.
11. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, transfer to a stoneware plate or cutting board and serve with flatbread, crackers or baguette.

Why say cheese Canada? Because cheese is an aphrodisiac, or so says Pizza Pizza who last Valentine’s Day tried to position their product as a sort of “love pie.” They claim that cheese “contains phenylethylamine, or PEA, a natural amphetamine that the brain manufactures in response to the feelings of love…In fact, cheese contains 10 times the levels of PEA normally found in chocolate.”  Perhaps it’s true. After all, pizza can be an excellent source of love handles…

Pizza marketing aside, there is something traditionally romantic about cheese. Canada, loves the stuff, so much so, there is even a Facebook page for Canadian cheese-lovers. And why not? Cheese is sophisticated and earthy all at the same time, international, yet homey, making it perfect for a private party or a big event.

To appeal to every palette, you’re best to serve a variety of cheeses. White mould cheeses like brie and camembert always move quickly, so you may well want some extra on hand.

Blue mould cheeses, which, in case you hadn’t guessed, include blue cheese aren’t for every taste but those who like cheeses of the blue variety tend to be passionate about them. Fair warning. Never stand between a blue cheese aficionado and her Roquefort. For something more than a very intimate gathering, you might want to serve a variety of blues in varying strengths.

Cheddar is always a safe bet but even within the cheddar family, there is a huge variety. Toronto cheese lovers (hey, thanks for stopping by!) will want to check out The Art of Cheese, a fabulous shop run by Bill and Larry, two guys who really know their cheese. When they can get it, they carry scotch infused cheddar nicknamed “hockey pucks of Canada” in honour of those who love cheese, Canada and our nation’s favourite game.

With any of your cheeses, it’s always fun to select from various parts of the world – but don’t forget to include some cheese Canada style. BC and Quebec are particularly known for their cheese and Alberta has its fair share of wonderful cheese artisans. The Alberta Cheese Company is a family run business that makes all of their cheese on site.

Serve your cheese at room temperature which translates roughly to 18 degrees. Your best bet is to take it out of the fridge approximately 30 minutes prior to serving it. It’s a balance, though. You don’t want to take it out of the fridge too early and have it get runny.

Cheese can be paired with many fine things, including, of course wine. Stronger cheeses can pull off a sweeter wine – but don’t go blindly into pairing a wine with your cheeses. Your caterer should have a knowledgeable sommelier on staff to help you with your selections.

Great cheese paired with the perfect wine will impress your guests with your attention to detail and excellent taste. So go ahead and have cheese, Canada, at your next special event. It can be a simple, fast cornucopia of tastes for something informal or the perfect food to serve to those with the most discerning tastes. And speaking of special occasions, here is a baked brie recipe for two, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!