Warm Brie with Mushrooms and Almonds

prep: 10 minutes

cook: 20 minutes

serves 8

you’ll need…

1 8-ounce wheel of Brie in its little wooden box

½ cup sliced almonds

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 garlic clove, minced

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

2 tablespoons white wine, vermouth, or sherry (optional)

2 tablespoons fresh marjoram or thyme leaves

salt and pepper to taste

let’s get to it…

Place oven rack in the middle. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove the Brie wheel from the box and unwrap it. Place the unwrapped wheel in the bottom half of the box and place on a baking sheet; set aside.

Heat the sliced almonds in a large skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove nuts from skillet and set aside. Wipe out skillet with a paper towel.

Heat olive oil and butter in the skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the mushrooms. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the white wine, vermouth or sherry (if using). Saute for another 3 to 4 minutes or until soft. Remove from heat. Stir in the toasted sliced almonds and fresh marjoram or thyme.

Place the Brie in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn out onto a serving dish. Spoon the warm mushrooms and almonds over the Brie wheel. Serve immediately with toast points or crackers.

Sautéed Shrimp and Brie Nachos

prep: 20 minutes

cook: 15 minutes

about 15 servings (2 chips each)

you’ll need…

30 tortilla chips

6 ounces Brie cheese, cut into 30 small pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pushed through a garlic press

1 teaspoon paprika

1 pound shrimp (31 to 35 count), peeled, deveined with tails removed

¼ cup chopped red and green pepper

let’s get to it…

Place tortilla chips on a serving platter. Top with small pieces of brie; set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until softened but not brown. Stir in the paprika.

Lower heat to medium low and add the shrimp. Sauté shrimp for 3 to 4 minutes or until pink.

Remove from heat. Place 1 shrimp on top of cheese and tortilla chip. Garnish with chopped red and green pepper if desired. Serve immediately.