Let the chaos begin… the annual scramble to fill the bellies of visiting friends and family while keeping them occupied and smiling with just the right amount of buzz (enough to be jovial but not belligerent, that’s the key). It’s precisely times like these that quick, last-minute appetizers, like these baked brie puffs, will save your behind again and again.
Not that we are entertaining scores of guests this year; in reality it’ll be just us for a very low-key Christmas. But sometimes keeping Taylor happy and fed is like dealing with a dozen hungry people, nay, children. So I get it, I really do. I’ve learned that a good beer and a plate full of morsels in front of him will usually keep him content. Even better if Home Alone is on, which he could watch over and over again (that’s basic Marriage 101 for you right there).
This recipe was inspired by Sandy’s Mango Cherry Apple Brie, a dish I’ve been fortunate enough to savor twice now in Sandy’s delightful company. In her version, she tops a sizable wheel of brie with two kinds of fruit preserves and pistachios, and bakes it until it oozes. Needless to say, it’s beyond amazing.
This is a bite-sized version of that concept, with the ‘cracker’ built right in. It’s melty and sweet, crunchy and buttery. And most of all, easy. So incredibly easy.
The beauty of these puffs is how easy they are to prepare. Literally 10 minutes of prep to roll and cut the pastry, and another 15 minutes until they’re ready to eat. You can use any flavor of jam you like; I used a mix of apricot and fig for this batch, but I think peach, raspberry, or even orange marmalade would be lovely too.
The holidays do not have to be stressful. We’re all about the low-key in our household, with the belief that Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be a huge to-do. In fact, we’re not even sure what we’re going to cook yet. How’s that for being casual about it?
Tell me, what’s on your holiday menu this year? I need ideas, because there’s a difference between being low-key and being stupid, like waiting until Tuesday afternoon to go to the store. If it’s anything like it was the week before Thanksgiving, I’ll do all I can to avoid that scene. Crowds mess with my holiday zen.
Let us know what you think!
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