Mummy pastry-wrapped brie appetizer

When I was thinking of what appetizers to serve guests just before Halloween, I turned to the internet for some holiday ideas. One that popped up more than once, was this pastry-wrapped brie cheese, meant to look like a mummy. Bingo. I had the basis for my charcuterie board. It was easy to make, using purchased puff pastry, with some apple slices and raisins for the eyes. Add some salumi (your choice, I used some soppressata), nuts, olives, fruit and maybe another dip or two, with some crackers and bread, and you can sit down and enjoy conversation with your guests instead of fussing in the kitchen.

By the way, I meant to spread some fig jam over the brie before wrapping, but I forgot that step. So I served the fig jam on the side. I also meant to brush the pastry with egg before baking, but I forgot that too (senility starting). As it turns out, it didn't need that either, so if you want to eliminate either of those steps, it works out just fine.

Happy Halloween.

Pastry Wrapped Brie Appetizer

printable recipe here

One 8 ounce wheel of brie cheese

fig jam (optional)

1 sheet of puff pastry

1 egg, beaten for spreading over the pastry (optional)

small piece of apple and raisin or currants.

Defrost the sheet of puff pastry and roll it out to make sure it doesn't fall apart at the creases.

Smear some fig jam on the top of the brie and flip over so that the jam side is facing the pastry.

Fold the pastry over the brie, cutting out excess, but making sure to cover the entire wheel of cheese.

With the excess pieces, cut them into strips and cover the pastry again, placing the strips helter-skelter. 

If the pieces are too small, scrunch them together and roll out again.

When you place the strips on the pastry, make sure to tuck them into the bottom so they don't release in the baking.

Using a pastry brush, brush some of the beaten egg over the pastry.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let the brie rest for at least 15 minutes before serving, otherwise the cheese will be too runny.

Cut some thin pieces of apple and small currants or raisins and place into the pastry at strategic spots for the eyes.

Serve with crackers.