Just seven ingredients are all I need to create an elegant appetizer perfect for entertaining. The tart cranberry compote pairs well with creamy Brie cheese.
—KATHERINE WATSON OMAHA, NE
PREP: 30 MIN. • BAKE: 5 MIN. • MAKES: ABOUT 2 DOZEN
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup jellied cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 pound Brie cheese, thinly sliced
1. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, vinegar, cranberry sauce and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened, about 12 minutes.
2. Brush bottoms of bread with butter; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 1-2 minutes or until lightly toasted. Top bread with Brie. Bake for 4-6 minutes or until cheese is melted. Spoon cranberry mixture over cheese, about 1 tablespoon on each.
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Brie Basics
Lots of hosts rely on Brie for fast and easy appetizers. Brie is a soft cows’ milk cheese, named after the French region of Brie. It’s pale in color with a grayish-white edible rind. The interior has a soft, spreadable consistency when served at room temperature. It’s perfect for use on cheese trays or melted in sandwiches, soups or fondues.