Erica Key of the Atlanta-based blog Eating with Erica is one of our go-to gals when it comes to anything festive.
Her bright, cheery personality is always apparent in whatever recipe she cooks up.
Her tailgate-friendly pimento cheese pigs in a blanket and her hot apple cider recipe were both to die for, so we knew her Baked Brie with Orange Zest Cranberry Sauce recipe for Christmas would be topnotch as well.
Tell us about this recipe.
I am seriously addicted to all-things cheese. Everyone who knows me knows that 9 times out of 10, when I am entertaining, there will be some type of cheese appetizer. Since it’s cold outside, baked brie is the way to go.
This recipe is ideal because it’s two recipes in one. If you are a cheese lover like myself, the baked brie option is for you. However, if you aren’t interested in baking, you can add the delicious orange zest cranberry sauce to the brie as a topping and you are done. Cranberries are in season, so this will be full of flavor and a huge hit!
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Each Christmas Eve we have a chance to open one gift while relishing bubbly champagne or spiked eggnog. We do this all while devouring our family’s finest hors d’ourves while listening to classic Christmas albums. It’s the simplest thing, but it makes me so happy to be around my family, disconnect from the world, and appreciate the holiday.
What are you most looking forward to in 2018?
I am looking forward to planning my wedding. I couldn’t be happier that I am marrying my best friend.
I am also looking forward to traveling the southeast for my Southern food tour. I will be highlighting talented chefs, innovative restaurant concepts, and must-visit hotels.
Baked Brie with Orange Zest Cranberry Sauce
Baked Brie Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted
1 piece of brie (up to 8 ounces)
1/8-1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes
1 egg
1-2 tbsp water
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
While the oven is heating, roll out the puff pastry until it is about 1/8 inch thick.
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat, lay out your flat puff pastry and place your brie in the center of the dough.
Spread the preserve mixture over top of the brie and wrap the cheese in the puff pastry, trimming any excess.** You want the brie to be just covered.
Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes (until the pastry is golden brown). Let stand for up to 30 minutes before serving.
**Use some of the trimmings to make bows or flowers, if desired.
Orange Zest Cranberry Sauce Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked through
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon orange zest
2 drops vanilla extract
Juice of 1/2 orange (navel)
1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
Combine sugar, orange juice, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
Add cranberries, salt, vanilla, cinnamon stick, and orange zest.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Continue cooking, for about 10 minutes, or until all or most of the cranberries have popped. (I like to leave a handful of berries whole.)
Let cool for at least 30 minutes.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Can be made up to 3 days in advance.
