Baked Brie with Fig Crown

An easy appetizer for any celebration.

Ingredients

4 or 5 dried figs
1 8-oz. round SPCA Certified brie (4" diameter)
2 tsp mango chutney
1 tbsp chopped dried fruit such as blueberries, cranberries or apricots
20 pecan halves (about 1/2 cup)
2 tsp honey
2 tsp port wine
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Freshly cracked black pepper
Sliced baguette

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Place dried figs in 3/4 cup very warm water to plump up. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, slice off top of brie rind and discard. Slice cheese round in half horizontally. Set bottom section in a shallow heatproof serving dish.

4. Spread mango chutney over top of bottom section of cheese. Sprinkle with chopped dried fruit (but not figs). Replace top of cheese round over chutney and fruit layer.

5. Drain and pat figs dry. Slice into 1/8" thick pieces. Alternate figs and pecans around top of cheese round.

6. Mix together honey, port wine and vinegar. Spoon over figs and pecans. Sprinkle with pepper. Bake 10 minutes. Broil briefly to brown pecans. Serve immediately with baguette slices.

Yield: 6 servings

Photographer: Yvonne Duivenvoorden
Recipe care of: Canadian House & Home