Baked Brie with Caramelized Pears, Shallots and Thyme
Description
Caramelized shallots and pears top this elegant baked Brie with caramelized pears, shallots, and thyme recipe, nestled within a sourdough bread loaf.
Ingredients
•
1 tablespoon butter
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2 shallots, thinly sliced
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2 pears - peeled, cored and sliced
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1/3 cup dry white wine
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1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
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1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
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salt and pepper to taste
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1 (8 ounce) round loaf sourdough bread
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1 (8 ounce) round Brie cheese
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1/2 cup slivered almonds
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Assorted crackers
Directions
1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; cook and stir to soften, 1 minute. Add pears; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add white wine, brown sugar, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Increase heat to medium-high; simmer until liquid has evaporated and pears have lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
3
Cut a Brie-sized hole in top of sourdough round to within ½-inch of bottom. Cut removed bread into pieces for serving; set aside.
4
Score Brie around edge (halfway down Brie wheel) using a paring knife to cut ¼-inch deep. Cut Brie in half horizontally by looping an 18-inch piece of very thin string or unflavored dental floss around scored Brie, pulling the ends in opposite directions.
5
Place bottom half Brie, cut-side up, into sourdough loaf. Top with ½ pear mixture; sprinkle with ½ slivered almonds. Place remaining Brie half on top; spread with remaining ½ pear mixture and sprinkle with remaining ½ slivered almonds. Place on a baking sheet.
6
Bake in the preheated oven until soft and gooey, about 45 minutes. Serve with reserved sourdough bread and crackers.