Mummy-Wrapped Brie
Total Time: 30 min
YIELDS: 10 servings
Thanks to puff pastry, basic baked brie is transformed into a spooky Halloween appetizer in this easy recipe. This treat is the perfect show-stopping addition to your spread that requires minimal time and effort. Enjoy it as a Halloween snack at party, or anytime you're settling in for a scary movie marathon.
Cheese in TCM has the benefits to tonify qi, blood, and yin. But keep in mind that dairy products in excess can also cause and aid dampness!
Dampness can develop when eating foods that clog the free flow of energy inside your body. Popular foods such as cheese, yogurt, white flour, and sugar are all culprits that can cause dampness to form. Dampness causes stagnation which creates blockages in the body, resulting in pain and disease. Signs of accumulated dampness include mucus in the nose or lungs, digestive problems such as loose stools and constipation, excess weight, and swollen joints.
Although dairy can cause dampness, it is fine to eat in moderation, especially when celebrating! Enjoy this tasty treat with a bit more knowledge of how it can affect the body :)
INGREDIENTS
1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/4 cup apricot jam
1 round (16 ounces) Brie cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
Apple slices
2 dried cranberries or raisins
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°
Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry. On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry into a 14-in. square. Cut off corners to make a circle.
Spread jam into a 4-1/2-in. circle in center of pastry. Place Brie on top; fold pastry over cheese, trimming as necessary, and pinch edges to seal. Beat egg and water; brush over pastry.
Place on an ungreased baking sheet, seam side down. Roll remaining pastry into a 14-in. square. Cut four 1-in. strips; cut strips in half crosswise. Wrap strips around Brie, trimming as necessary. Discard scraps.
Bake 10 minutes; brush again with egg wash. Bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes more.
For eyes, cut 2 circles from apple slices; place on top of Brie. Top each circle with a dried cranberry. Serve warm, with apple slices.
TIPS
Brush apple slices with a bit of lemon juice to keep them bright white.
Use any jam or preserves in place of apricot. Jalapeno jam could be fun!
Secure pastry strips under the Brie so they stay put. Check midway through baking: If any have sprung free, tuck them back under, then finish baking.
To make this recipe year-round, skip the mummification and simply wrap cheese in one layer of puff pastry. Brush with egg wash and bake.
photo and recipe credits to Taste of Home
