 Slice a baby Brie (or a Camembert) in half, add fig jam and you’ve got a real crowd pleaser. Garnish with fresh figs in season Photo courtesy Dalmatia Fig Jam.
December 2008
Last Updated July 2014
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Brie & Fig Recipe
An Easy Brie Appetizer For Cocktails...Or For The
Cheese Course
Introduction
For easy entertaining, try this simple-but-swanky Brie and fig torte. The recipe is from the makers of Dalmatia Dried Fig Spread, a condiment that is delicious with many different cheeses (more about cheese condiment pairings).
You can serve the Brie recipe with cocktails, as an appetizer or as a cheese course.
You can also make the recipe with Camembert, a cheese very similar to Brie.
- Camembert is made in small wheels, 4.5 inches in diameter, and never in large sizes.
- Brie, on the other hand, is traditionally made in large wheels, nine to 15 inches in diameter and sliced into wedges for sale. But due to the popularity of the cheese, “baby Bries” have come onto the market in the size of Camembert.
- Here are the differences between Brie and Camembert.
Now for the fig jam:
Croatia, in south central Europe, sits on the Adriatic Sea between Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Much of the ancient Roman province of Dalmatia sits in present-day Croatia. The country is known for its natural beauty as well as for its production of healthy food.
Dalmatia Fig Spread is a thick preserve made from hand-picked Adriatic figs. Following the popularity of the original fig spread, a version with oranges and figs is now imported as well. Both are available at fine food stores nationwide, or online at iGourmet.com.
In addition to this Brie torte, you can use fig spread as a condiment with other cheeses and:
- On bread or toast, as you would other jams and preserves
- As a pastry or tart filling
- As a condiment with lamb, pork, poultry and foie gras
- As a topping for ice cream
Discover more about Brie cheese; learn more about cheese in general by skimming through our Cheese Glossary and THE NIBBLE’s Cheese Section.
Fig & Brie Torte Recipe
This recipe uses a baby Brie. You can make this recipe with a larger wheel; just be prepared with more fig spread and walnuts. Serve the dish at room temperature or warmed with a fruity red or white wine. We like it with rosé Champagne.
Ingredients
- 1 eight-ounce wheel of Brie
- Up to one 8-ounce jar fig spread or jam
- Up to 1 cup walnuts, chopped (we like to toast ours)
- 2 walnut halves, shelled, for garnish (candied, if you wish)
- Greens for plating
Preparation
- Place Brie in refrigerator for about 2 hours to firm up for easier slicing.
- Using a sharp knife or a piece of dental floss, slice Brie in half into two rounds.
- Distribute the fig spread evenly atop the bottom layer of the round, avoiding the 1/4" closest to the edge so that the jam doesn’t spill over when the top layer is sandwiched on.
- Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the fig spread.
- Add the top layer of the Brie wheel. Use a spatula to fill in jam as needed.
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Dalmatia Fig Spread is available at fine retailers and from Amazon.com. |
Recipe © copyright Dalmatia Fig Jam. Additional material
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