Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans

This is probably the easiest and fastest appetizer I make and I have been using it for a very long time…  It is also one of my client’s favorite recipe since it is so simple to prepare yet delicious and versatile.  You can use different dried fruits and nuts to match a specific theme or whatever you have in your pantry.  It is also a one-stop shop at Trader Joe’s to get everything you need and everyone loves it!  So it is perfect for the holiday this week as you battle with getting everything else ready in the kitchen…

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family and friends.   As this is a time to be thankful, I am grateful to do something I love.  I feel honored to share my passion for food with all the amazing people I have met in the last 17 years.  I have also learned from you and you’ve always made me feel appreciated.  Thank YOU!  And Susie, this one is for you…

Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans

Serves 6-8

1 wedge of Brie (8 ounces), torn into 1-inch pieces

8 ounces cream cheese, torn into 1-inch pieces

2/3 cup chopped dried cranberries (dried apricots or dried cherries)

2/3 cup unsalted chopped pecans (or walnuts or pistachios)

¼ to ½ teaspoon Herbes de Provence

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 boxes crackers

            Preheat the oven to 350ºF.  In a pie plate or similar baking dish, mix the brie and cream cheese.  Top with the cranberries, pecans, Herbes and pepper. 

            (May be assembled up to two days before and kept refrigerated.)

            Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Let stand a couple minutes before serving with crackers.

Arugula Cake Bites with Pistachios

In France, especially in the South, housewives bake pound cakes using savory ingredients.  Traditionally, ham and green olives are mixed in an unsweetened cake batter and baked in a loaf to be sliced and served with a green salad as a light dinner or lunch.  Sometimes the loaf is cut into cubes and served as an appetizer.  I like this version which calls for arugula and pistachios.  I use a Quattro Formaggio that I get from Trader Joe's.  Fontina, Provolone, Parmesan and Asiago give a lot of depth to the cake but Gruyere is a little bit more French...

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

½ cup milk

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 eggs

3 ½ ounces arugula (4 cups lightly packed), chopped

1 ¼ cups Quattro Formaggio or Gruyere cheese

¾ cup roasted shelled pistachios, chopped

            Preheat the oven to 350ºF.  Lightly butter a cake pan and lined with parchment paper.

            In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper.

            In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, olive oil and eggs.

            Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until incorporated.  Stir in the arugula, cheese and pistachios. 

            Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden skewer skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.  Carefully remove the cake from the pan using the parchment paper.  Cool on a rack.

            Cut the cake into 1-inch slices and cut each slices into 8 cubes.

            (May be made up to two days and kept refrigerated.  Bring to room temperature before serving.)