Cranberry-Glazed Brie
Baked until the brie is warm and gooey, and the cranberries are soft and spreadable, this appealing appetizer is a true holiday favorite.
Ingredients:
3 cups fresh cranberries
¾ cup firmly-packed brown sugar
⅓ cup dried currants
⅓ cup water
⅛ teaspoon each of ground allspice, cardamom, cloves and ginger
1 large brie cheese wheel
Crackers or crostini
Apple and pear slices
Method:
1. To make the marmalade, combine the cranberries, brown sugar, dried currants, water and spices in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until most of the berries pop, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
2. Using a sharp knife, cut a circle in the top rind of the cheese, leaving a small border of rind. Carefully remove the center circle of rind from cheese. Place cheese on a foil- or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Spread cranberry marmalade over the cheese (you may have extra marmalade depending on the size of your cheese wheel).
3. Preheat the oven to 300° then bake until the cheese is soft and warm, about 25 minutes. Set on a large platter and surround with crackers/crostini and the fruit slices. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Make it ahead: The marmalade can be made up to three days ahead of time. Bring both the marmalade and cheese to room temperature before popping in the oven.
Potato-Leek Galette
A fantastic Thanksgiving appetizer or side!
Ingredients:
F&L galette dough
¾ pound fingerling potatoes, or other waxy potato of your choice
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
3 leeks, white and pale green part only, halved lengthwise
¼ cup water
¾ cup crème fraîche
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
½ cup Comté or Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated
2 ounces thinly-sliced pancetta
Method:
1. Slice potatoes almost paper thin and soak in a bowl of well-salted warm water at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
2. Rinse leeks well. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook leeks, cut sides down, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Turn leeks over and add water, season with salt and pepper then gently simmer, covered, just until leeks are tender, about 15 minutes. Cool.
3. Preheat oven to 400°. Drain potatoes and squeeze in handfuls, squeezing out water. Toss with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 x 16 inches. Dough should be about ⅛-inch thick. Slide onto a cookie sheet. Chill briefly if very soft.
5. Spread dough with crème fraîche leaving a 2-inch border all around. Season with salt and pepper and scatter with half of cheese then potatoes, leeks, pancetta, and remaining cheese. Fold border up and over and brush with butter or olive oil. Bake until tart is golden brown, about 40 minutes.
