Elyse's Baked Brie

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Prep. Time: 10 mins. Cook Time: 30 min. (approximately) Preheat oven: 325 degrees

One small (1 lb.) baby brie wheel (must be full wheel, not a segment)
1/4 cup Sorrell Ridge Peach or Strawberry
1/4 cup slice almonds
1/4 teaspoon dried mustard

My sister-in-law Elyse came up with this fabulous recipe.

1. Slice off the top "skin" of the brie, leaving the bottom and the sides in tact as a shell. If you enjoy the brie's skin, save it for use on a sandwich or as you desire; otherwise discard.

2. Place the brie on a small, shallow, glass oven dish that has been sprayed with vegetable spray and put in the preheated 325 degrees oven. Bake for about 30 minutes until the brie softens but isn't running all over the sides. The exact cooking time will vary with the specific wheel's dimensions, so keep your eye on it.

3. Meanwhile blend together the Sorrell Ridge and the dried mustard. Remove the brie from the oven and spread the Sorrell Ridge mixture evenly over the opened top of the brie. Now sprinkle on your sliced almonds.

4. Return to the oven for about 10 more minutes, watching it carefully. The moment it begins to bubble, remove it immediately. Let it cool for five or ten minutes so nobody burns their mouth in their eagerness to try it.

This delightful dish may be served in several ways. You may serve it in wedges with French bread as a first course, or with drinks and crackers as an appetizer before dinner; it's also perfect as a creative twist to the taditional after-dinner cheese course. It goes well with a brunch menu and if you double the recipe you may cut it into large wedges and use it as the main course for a lunch, accompanied by salad and French bread.

To serve a large group of people, just use bigger wheels of brie and increase the other ingredients accordingly. I once gave a special party for 40 people and used a giant wheel of brie and three jars of Sorrell Ridge. I had to bake it longer - for about an hour - and covered it with almonds. I transformed it onto a bed of grape leaves after it cooled a bit and surrounded it with an assortment of crackers. Nearly the whole wheel went and everyone was asking for the recipe.