Whipped Brie Appetizer With Peppered Fig Compote Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the figs, orange zest, thyme, brandy, sugar, vinegar, a few grinds of pepper and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid is syrupy and the figs are softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, discard the zest and thyme and let cool, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or mini chopper and pulse until mostly smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll the pie dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out the outer 2 inches of dough with a rolling pin to make the edge slightly thinner than the rest of the dough. Put the cheese in the center of the dough and top with the fig compote. Trim about 1 inch off the outer edge of the dough. Pull the dough up and over the cheese, folding and pleating the dough all the way around until the cheese is covered. Pinch the dough together at the top to seal.
• Transfer the wrapped cheese to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the dough with the beaten egg and bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board to slice. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the grapes with the oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, tossing once, until the grapes burst and are very soft, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spread the pecans out on a second rimmed baking sheet, and bake until very golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop.
• Transfer the grapes to a small shallow bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving the oil behind. Stir in the lemon juice and zest and a pinch of salt; set aside to cool completely, then stir in the toasted pecans. (The compote can be made up to a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Cut off just the very edges of the Brie wheel to make a rough square (it is OK if some rind remains at the corners), then cut into 30 cubes. Put a cube in each phyllo cup, and put the cups on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Top each cup with some of the compote, and garnish with a dusting of pepper. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Put the figs and wine in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer, stirring constantly, until most of the Port has reduced, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and reserve.
• Remove the rind from the Brie; you should have about 8 ounces left.
• Put the cold cheese into a mixer with a paddle attachment and beat at medium speed, scraping down the sides from time to time, for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is very white and creamy; beat in the pepper; this can be refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the 'stack.'.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
• Drizzle about one-eighth teaspoon of balsamic vinegar over each slice of baguette in a thin line, brush lightly with oil on both sides and cook each side until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
• Brown the bread in batches.
• Remove from the heat and reserve (the bread can be stored in a plastic bag or container until needed).
• For each serving put a slice of toasted bread ('crouton') on the plate, then angle a quenelle (an oval of cheese shaped with two spoons) of Brie over the crouton.
• Top with a second crouton and another quenelle of Brie, then another crouton. Place about a tablespoon of the fig compote and a sprinkle of sea salt next to the stack and serve immediately.
• Serve the six 'stacks' immediately.

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently until figs and prunes are soft, about 10 minutes. Cool compote slightly. Transfer to small bowl. (Compote can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Arrange six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups in 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Combine cream, half and half, and pepper in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring cream mixture to simmer over medium heat. Cover; set aside 10 minutes to steep. Discard vanilla bean. Whisk egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in warm cream mixture.
• Divide custard among ramekins. Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake custards until set in center, about 35 minutes. Remove custards from water; refrigerate uncovered until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• Preheat broiler. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons raw sugar crystals over top of each custard. Place custards on small baking sheet and broil until sugar melts and browns, rotating sheet for even browning, about 3 minutes. Refrigerate custards uncovered until topping hardens, at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
• Serve custards with compote.