Baked Brie

Not to be confused with brie en crute (brie cheese in pastry shell), a simple baked brie is both easier and more figure friendly for your next entertaining gig. This appetizer is incredibly easy and comes together in 10 minutes. It's perfect for a dinner party appetizer or for your holiday festivities as your guests can help themselves. A few key points to remember:

• select a firmer brie wheel (meaning the full round) -- it will stand up to the warming in the oven better and not completely fall apart on you as if you'd use a cut wedge; and this is not a time to invest in creamier fancy triple creme bries -- a simple (and cheaper) brie will do you better this time!
• choose your jams on the sweeter side but that would still compliment the sweetness of the cheese -- apricot, fig, mango chutney are my favorites; leave the berry jams for something else this time;
• pecans and walnuts work best for the nuts -- no need to roast them first because they will do so as you warm the brie in the oven!
• you want your nuts finely chopped so they're easy to eat, but not pulverized here so don't be tempted to chop them in your food processor -- use your knife or beat the shit out of them with a rolling pin instead for the perfect rustic chop.

I like serving round crackers and apple slices when I do baked bries, but you can also do thinly sliced fresh French bread baguette. You can serve it alone or for a larger party, make it the centerpiece of your cheese platter, flanking it with other harder cheeses like sharp cheddar and smoked goudas, and add some grapes and dates to go along with.

This will serve 4-8 people.

Baked Brie
1 firm brie wheel
1 1/2  Tbsp fig jam (or apricot or mango chutney)
1/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
assorted crackers or sliced french baguette for serving
sliced apples for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove the brie cheese from any wrappings and place on the baking sheet. Spread the jam on the top, then sprinkle the nuts in one even layer right on top of the jam. Bake in oven 7 minutes (5 for less gooey, 10 for extremely soft and gooey). Using a sturdy spatula, carefully transfer the brie to a serving platter and garnish with crackers and apple slices. Serve immediately.