I was recently sent a gift pack from Godminster Cheese, just in time for Valentines day . . . their sweet "Heart to Heart" set, is a tasty combination of a delicious 200g Vintage Organic Cheddar and 150g Heart-Shaped Organic Brie, both heart shaped and presented in their very own unique gift box.
Godminster Vintage Cheddar is completely organic, containing no preservatives and encased in a ruby coloured wax. There is no need to remove the wax as it makes the perfect case to keep it in. You can simply slice the top off and scoop out the cheese and then replace the "lid" when you are done. Best served at room temperature, this lovely chedddar is rich and creamy. Quite delicious!
Godminster Traditional Organic Brie, is an organic soft cheese, created using fresh milk from the Godminster Farm. With it's fresh flavor and creamy texture, this was also quite delicious.
Inclued as well was a round of their lovely Organic Brie which I decided to do something interesting with. I wanted to make something which would be wonderful as an appetizer for your Valentines Day Celebrations.
Brie cheese is just wonderful baked . . . it melts beautifully and it's delicious flavor and texture are a wonderful canvas upon with to layer other flavours.
I cut it in half whilst it was still really, really cold from the fridge and then place the bottom round, cut side up on a square of Puff pastry.
I spread the creamy top of the bottom layer with some Jalapeno Pepper Jam that I had picked up at Morrisons at Christmas time but hadn't had occasion to use yet. It was so pretty and jewel-like . . . and flecked with lots of red jalapeno pepper flakes. I then placed the other half on top and covered encased the round completely with the puff pastry, sealing it shut. (You want to do this really well or you could have a blow out!)
I decorated the top with heart cutouts placed in a round to resemble a pretty blossom, with a few little stamen balls in the centre, and then brushed the whole thing with some beaten egg yolk and ater.
Fifteen minutes later we were rewarded with gloriously rich and creamy gooey brie mixed with that hot pepper jam . . . perfect for spreading onto soft slices of a fresh French loaf . . . and topped with a few leaves of rocket . . .
Or onto buttery pepper crackers, and served with some crisp slices of a sweet red eating apple, it went down a real treat. We both enjoyed this immensely. Not only was it attractive, but it was quite simply . . . delicious. How often do you get an appetizer that is so delicious without having put much effort into it. I would serve this to anyone . . .
* Jalapeno Pepper Jam Baked Brie*Serves 4Printable Recipe
This is the easiest and tastiest appetizer. Everyone loves it.
1 8-oz wheel of Brie Cheese1/2 package of all butter, ready roll puff pastry4 TBS Jalapeno Pepper Jam1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tsp water
To serve (optional)Sliced French Baguettecrisp crackersrocket leaves
sliced apples
Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Line a baking sheet with baking paper. Set aside.
You will want your cheese to be really cold. Using a sharp knife, cut the cheese in half horizontally through the middle. Place the sheet of puff pastry onto the lined baking sheet. Place the bottom half of the brie in the middle. Spread the Pepper Jam over top almost to the edges. Top with the other half of the Brie, cut side down. Cut the corners off the pastry, so you have a rough circle shape. Brush the edges of the circle with some beaten egg. Bring the pastry up to cover the round of Brie, folding and pinching to seal. Using the scraps cut out decorative shapes to decorate. Brush the outside of the pastry with some egg and then place the cutouts on top of where you have sealed the Brie shut in a decorative manner. Brush them with egg too.
Bang the Brie into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes or so until the pastry is crisp and golden brown. Place on a serving board and arrange with crackers, sliced baguette, some rocket and sliced apple.
You can purchase the Godminster Heart to Heart set of cheeses on the Godminster site for £17.45
Do visit their page for information of stockists near you, and other information about their products.
Although I was given this cheese to try out, all opinions are expressly my own. It was to be perfectly honest . . . quite simply lovely. Many thanks to Godminster for sending it to us. I would buy this cheese quite happily for any special occasion.