Hors d'Oeuvres

Creamy Cider

Combine:
1/2 c. cream
1/2 c. brown sugar
Heat on medium until boiling. Add:
3 c. apple cider
Heat on medium high until steaming. Top with:
1/2 c. whipped cream
2 T. brown sugar.

Serves 4


Baked Brie with Mango Chutney

1 (7 to 8-inch) wheel brie cheese (don’t remove rind)
Mango chutney
2 sheets (12 by 18-inch) puff pastry
2 eggs, beaten

Preheat the oven to 400 º F. Using a warmed sharp knife, or unflavored dental floss (See Cook’s Note 1) cut the wheel of brie in half horizontally and separate the top half of the wheel from the bottom half. Spread a thin layer of mango chutney onto the bottom half. Replace the top half of the brie.
Working on a well-floured surface, roll out the puff pastry so that it will fully cover the brie. Place the brie in the middle of the puff pastry and fold the excess pastry around the wheel. Put the wheel aside. Roll out another piece of puff pastry and cut out a circle the same circumference as the top of the brie. Save the trimmings for decorations. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg on top of the brie in the puff pastry and place the circle on top. Brush the top of the circle with egg. Cut out decorations using cookie cutters or a small knife on top of the brie. Brush the entire top side of the brie with the egg and place the brie on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the pastry begins to turn golden brown, then turn the temperature down to 325 degrees F and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes. Serve on a pretty platter. See Cook’s Note 2.
*Cook’s Note 1: Instead of using a knife to cut the brie, use a piece of unflavored dental floss. Make an initial cut half way down, along the outer side of the brie with a pairing knife. Then, take a long piece of dental floss and wrap it around both hands. Starting at the front of the wheel at the initial cut, work through the wheel with the floss, separating the top half of the wheel from the bottom.
*Cook’s Note 2: The brie can be made, wrapped securely and stored in the freezer up to a month ahead of time.