Baked Brie Bread with Spicy Strawberry Jam

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Baked brie in bread is very simple to prepare, but it is sure to delight your guests and their taste buds. In general, just cheese, bread and spices will be enough to make it tasty. But I wanted to go a step further and make a spicy strawberry jam. Its sweetness pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the cheese, and the spiciness makes the taste even more interesting and unforgettable.

⏱ Cooking time — 40 minutes overall. Includes 15 minutes of preparation and cooking + 25 minutes unattended.

🥣 Ingredients

🍽 For 4 servings:

• 250 g (8,8 oz) brie (round shape)
• Loaf of bread (round shape, 1-2 cm more in diameter than the brie)
• pinch of thyme
• pinch of oregano
• extra-virgin olive oil
• 150 g (5,3 oz) of spicy strawberry jam

 🔪Step by step directions

Prepare a spicy strawberry jam using this recipe (takes about 25 minutes, once the strawberries are in the saucepan on the stove – you can start making brie in parallel).

Preheat the oven to 200 ° C / 400 ° F top+down mode, no convection (no fan).

Cut the top off the bread.

Place the brie on top and cut deep into the bread with a knife, all the way around the diameter of the cheese, but without cutting through the bread crust at the bottom.

Take out the bread crumbs, brush the brie spot with olive oil.

Now, if the jam is already ready – smear the jam (preferably let it cool a bit).

Cut the top off the brie and insert it into the bread loaf.

Make side cuts all around the diameter of the bread, about 2 cm wide, so that you can easily break off these slices and dip them into the cheese. Smear a little more strawberry jam on top of the cheese and cover with the sliced top.

Cut the cut out crumbs into cubes about 2 x 2 cm. I additionally cut one slice of bread to be sure that the breadcrumbs will not run out at the most inopportune moment. Put it all on a baking tray and put it in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.

Take out of the oven, sprinkle everything with a pinch of oregano and thyme, and serve immediately with the rest of the strawberry jam. Break off a piece of toasted bread, dip it into the melted brie, and enjoy.

🌶️Variations

What other jam goes with brie?

Brie cheese pairs well with a variety of jams, depending on your personal taste. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Fig jam. The sweetness of the fig jam provides a good contrast to the creamy, mild flavor of Brie. This is a classic combination.
2. Raspberry jam. The tangy sweetness of raspberry jam can balance the rich creaminess of Brie.
3. Apricot jam. Apricot jam has a tart, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with Brie.
4. Cherry jam. The bold, sweet, and slightly tart flavor of cherry jam can hold up to the rich flavor of Brie.
5. Pear jam. Pear jam has a subtle sweetness that won’t overpower the Brie.
6. Blackberry jam. Blackberry jam is tart and sweet, a good choice if you want a strong fruit flavor.

What bread goes with brie?

Brie cheese can pair well with many different types of bread. The key is to choose a bread that complements the creamy, slightly sweet and mild flavor of the Brie. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Baguette. A French baguette is a classic choice. It has a crunchy crust and soft interior that pairs wonderfully with the creaminess of Brie.
2. Ciabatta. This Italian bread is chewy and has a slight sourness that can complement the rich flavor of Brie.
3. Sourdough. Sourdough bread’s tangy flavor can balance out the creamy richness of Brie.
4. Whole grain or multigrain bread. The nutty flavors in these breads pair well with the creaminess of Brie.
5. Rye. Rye bread can offer a distinctive taste that can contrast interestingly with Brie.
6. Brioche. This rich, buttery bread can enhance the creaminess of Brie.
7. Crackers. Though not technically bread, crackers are another popular choice for serving with Brie, especially at parties or gatherings.

🥗 What to serve with?

1. Beetroot and Spinach Salad with Caramelized Nuts and Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing. This salad provides an excellent balance of flavors and textures that can complement your main dish of Brie baked inside bread with strawberry chili jam. The earthy sweetness of the beetroot aligns with the sweetness of the jam while offering a counterpoint to the creaminess of the Brie. The slightly bitter spinach leaves introduce a contrasting note that further helps balance the richness of the cheese. The caramelized nuts introduce a crunch and a nutty sweetness that heightens the complexity of flavors, echoing the baked Brie’s sweetness in a different register. Finally, the citrus vinaigrette dressing adds a tangy brightness that can cut through the richness of the Brie and the sweet-spicy jam, while its acidity enhances the flavors of the entire dish. The citrus in the dressing may also echo the fruity tones of the strawberry chili jam, tying the dishes together in a subtle way.
2. Herb Roasted Chicken. Chicken is a versatile meat that pairs well with a broad spectrum of flavors. The savory herbs complement the sweetness of the jam, and the rich, umami flavors of the roasted chicken balance the creamy Brie. Also, this protein-rich dish adds substantiality to the meal, making it more balanced and filling.
3. Pissaladière. A traditional dish from Nice, Pissaladière features caramelized onions, olives, and anchovies on a bread base. Its savory and slightly salty taste can provide an excellent contrast to the creamy Brie and sweet and spicy strawberry chili jam. Also, its bread base complements the Brie baked inside the bread, maintaining a continuity of textures.
4. Tart with Caramelized Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese. This tart offers a balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The sweet caramelized onions and cherry tomatoes balance the creamy goat cheese, while the tanginess from the tomatoes complements the spicy sweetness of the strawberry chili jam. The tart crust adds another textural element to the meal.
5. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus: The saltiness of the prosciutto provides a flavor contrast to the sweetness of the jam, while the slight bitterness of the asparagus can balance out the richness of the Brie. The crispy texture of the prosciutto and the slight crunch of the asparagus provide a textural contrast to the soft Brie and bread.
6. Quinoa Salad with Grilled Vegetables: The tangy vinaigrette on the salad can cut through the creaminess of the Brie, while the smoky flavors of the grilled vegetables present a counterpoint to the sweetness of the jam. Quinoa, being a grain, adds another texture to the meal, and its nutty flavor complements both the Brie and the strawberry chili jam.