Zionsville resident Susan F. visited the store on Saturday to purchase a wheel of Brie and told us about these wonderful brie recipes. We persuaded her to share them! So, thanks to Susan for two excellent holiday appetizer ideas.

Ingredients:
3 cups cranberries
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup dried currants
1/3 cup water
1/8 tsp. dry mustard
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. cardamom
1/8 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp ginger
1 2-lb. brie or 2 1-lb. bries

Preparation:
Add all ingredients except brie to a sauce pan and cook over medium heat stirring regularly until berries pop, about five minutes. Cool to room temperature.

Preheat oven to 300°F. Take brie out of package and using paring knife score top rind 1/2 inch from edge. Do not cut all the way through the rim of the brie. Remove rind from center only. Place cheese on a round ceramic dish or foil-lined cookie sheet.

Place cranberry mixture in the center of cheese and bake in oven for approximately 12 minutes. Serve with apples, pears or crackers.

Reheats well.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 1/3 Tbsp. whisky or brandy

Preparation:
Butter dish and place wheel of brie on top. Score and butter top of brie.
Heat brie in oven until desired consistency. Warm pecan mixture in microwave or on stove. Pour on top and serve.

November 20, 2001