Holiday Appetizers: Brie in Pastry with a Mixed Green Salad

Winter holiday parties and gourmet appetizers are a marriage made in heaven. Whether you are hosting a Christmas party, or feeding a hungry New Year’s Eve crowd, a variety of tasty appetizers on the table is key. In this simple recipe video, Chef Geoff Felsenthal from the Culinary School of the Art Institute in Chicago shares his special recipe for brie cheese in puff pastry with a complimentary salad of mixed greens, toasted pecans, and dried apricots.

For the salad, first toast the pecans by coating the nuts in melted butter, and toast on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until crisp. Add the nuts to mixed greens, and dried apricots. Prepare a dressing with sherry vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, and lightly toss.

For the brie pastry you will need: storebought puff pastry, egg, and a wedge of brie cheese. Lay the cheese on a layer of pastry, brush with a wash of beaten egg as shown, and top with another layer of pastry, pinching the edges to seal. Bake the brie in pastry for 15-20 minutes until crispy brown, and let stand for 20 minutes before serving. Craving something sweeter? Add some thinly sliced pears and sprinkle a thin layer of brown sugar into the pastry pocket before baking.

Watch the video clip here.