Brie en Croûte

This is probably the best starter for get togethers and parties. The good thing is that you can choose whether to make it sweet with a hint of jelly or savory with sauteed mushrooms and onions. And since it has to cool off for one hour before serving it is the most perfect little treat to bring to any party.

Ingredients:

13oz - 16oz round Brie cheese, don't remove the white rind
1 sheet Pepperidge Farm puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
1 Tbs water

Filling #1:
4 Tbs cranberry jelly and 1/4 cup toasted and sliced almonds

Filling #2:
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, 1/8 cup finely chopped onion and 1 Tbs fresh chopped parsley
~ heat 1 Tbs of olive oild in a medium size skillet and sautee the onions and mushrooms for about 5-7 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste; mix in the parsley just before placing the mixture on the puff pastry


1.) Preheat oven to 400
2.) Unfold thawed sheet of puff pastry and roll with a rolling pin until you have a 14" square
3.) Place the filling of your choice in the center of the puff pastry sheet; set the cheese on top of the filling
4.) In a small cup combine the egg with 1 Tbs of water and blend with a fork
5.) fold over all four corners of the pastry; brushing every seam with the egg wash to seal it and make it stick together
6.) Flip over the cheese bundle and place on a ungreased cookie sheet; brush with egg wash
7.) Bake for 20 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown
8.) Let sit for 60 minutes before serving

You may serve this with your favorite crackers or with french baguette