Brie With Balsamic Strawberries

Balsamic Strawberry paired with Brie:

When hosting a party you want easy party bites that look sophisticated.

Who can resist a rich, creamy cheese? Especially when it’s a decadent Triple Brie that practically melts in your mouth.

Pair it with a sweet balsamic strawberry topping, and you’ve got yourself a killer canapé that’s sure to impress.

Just add a cracker, and you’re ready to go- simple cocktail canapes that you can make at home!

Now, I’ll admit, I’ve never been a huge fan of cooked strawberries.

There was always something about the texture that didn’t sit right with me.

Oddly enough, I’ve always loved cooked raspberries and blueberries, so it wasn’t the warm, softened fruit that threw me off.

But, let me tell you, these strawberries, when cooked down in tangy balsamic vinegar with a touch of sugar, transform into something else.

The sweetness of the strawberries marries perfectly with the sharpness of the balsamic, creating a topping that’s the ideal companion to the luxurious Triple Brie.

The finishing touch? A touch of fresh basil.

This herb isn’t just a pretty garnish; it’s a flavour powerhouse that ties everything together.

Basil has an inherent affinity for both balsamic vinegar and strawberries, so it enhances the flavours in every bite, making each mouthful a little celebration.

What’s more, this easy party bites is incredibly simple to make.

You won’t be spending hours in the kitchen or juggling complicated steps.

In fact, it’s so straightforward that you’ll have plenty of time to focus on preparing other appetisers for your party.

And trust me, these simple cocktail canapes are guaranteed to get your party started.

They’re the kind of thing your guests will be talking about for days after the event.

So next time you’re planning a get-together, don’t overlook the power of a good cheese and fruit combo.

This Triple Brie with Balsamic Strawberry topping is not just a canapé; it’s a conversation starter, a palate pleaser, and a delicious way to show off your culinary creativity.

Give my simple cocktail canapes a try, and watch your guests’ faces light up with every bite!

Brie With Balsamic Strawberries

(Serves 12 Prep 15 Mins)

You Will Need:

• Gourmet Crackers: Any cracker will do really. Alternatively, you could use toasted panini, Turkish bread or pastry. But by definition, the cracker, bread or pastry base distinguishes it as a canape as opposed to an appetiser.

• Triple Brie: Brie, Camembert- either either. I love the creaminess of Triple Brie but it is entirely up to you.

• Butter: I tend to use unsalted but either is fine. I use butter as my cooking fat for these. Again, you don’t need alot.

• Strawberries: I use firm ripe strawberries as I have a ‘thing’ with overly ripe fruit- even though it is sweeter, just just ripe and no more but you could use very ripe if you prefer the flavour.

• Sugar: A little sugar to sweeten up the strawberries but you don’t need alot. I used white sugar.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar. There are different flavoured balsamic vinegars but just the regular one. I have used balsamic vinegar not balsamic glaze.

• Basil: Fresh basil pairs well with strawberries. I have used the baby leaves just for a touch of green- colour contrast and a flavour. I couldn’t find any micro-herbs but the baby leaves picked off a bunch are fine.

Instructions:

1. Prep the Strawberries: Rinse and dry your strawberries. Remove the stems and leaves, then slice the strawberries, leaving a bit of texture. You don’t want them to be too thin.
2. Cook the Strawberries: Heat a small pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, melt a tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced strawberries and cook them down for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and release their juices.
3. Sweeten and Add Balsamic: Once the strawberries have softened, sprinkle the sugar over them and stir. Allow the sugar to melt and coat the strawberries, cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Then, add the balsamic vinegar, stirring to combine. Let the mixture cook for another minute until the balsamic reduces slightly, forming a thick, syrupy sauce. Turn off the heat and set the strawberries aside to cool slightly.
4. Prepare the Brie: While the strawberries cool, split the Triple Brie into two even portions. Use a cookie cutter (or a knife) to cut the Brie into small, bite-sized shapes. You can get creative here—flowers, stars, or simple rounds, depending on the occasion and your preference & depending on the shape of your crackers.
5. Assemble the Canapés: Place each cheese portion on top of a gourmet cracker. Be sure the cheese fits comfortably on the cracker without spilling over the edges.
6. Top with Balsamic Strawberries: Using a teaspoon, spoon the balsamic strawberries over each piece of cheese. Be generous, ensuring each cracker has a nice balance of fruit and syrup. I found with the flower shape, the syrup drizzled down the indents between the petals- stars would do the same.
7. Garnish with Basil: To finish, place a fresh basil leaf on top of each canapé. The basil adds a little colour contrast and enhances the flavour of the strawberries and balsamic with its herbal freshness. (Basil is a perfect herbal pairing for strawberries).

Serve and Enjoy! 

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Helpful Hints

• Use a small cookie cutter to cut the Brie into interesting shapes. I have used a flower but you could make rounds, stars or heart shapes.

• You could use Camembert or another type of cheese but the triple Brie is a really creamy texture & helps to make this dish in my opinion.

• Any type of cracker, toasted bread or pastry shell would be a suitable option for this canape.

• This recipe would also work for Raspberries or Blackberries too.

• These simple cocktail canapes need to be eaten fresh, so don’t top the Brie with strawberries until you are ready to serve.

Brie With Balsamic Strawberries

Recipe

(Serves 12 Prep 15 mins)

Ingredients

• 12 Gourmet Crackers
• 250 gm Triple Brie
• 20 gm Unsalted Butter
• 10- 12 Strawberries
• 2 tsp Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 12 Fresh baby Basil leaves (garnish)

Method

1. Rinse the Strawberries & remove the stems.
2. Thinly slice the Strawberries, but keep a little texture.
3. Melt the butter in a small pan over medium-high heat.
4. Add the Strawberries and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
5. Add the sugar to the pan and cook for another minute.
6. Stir in Balsamic Vinegar and reduce until syrupy.
7. Remove the pan from the heat.
8. Cut the Brie into small shapes (flowers, stars, or rounds) using a cookie cutter.
9. Place a piece of Brie on each cracker.
10. Spoon a tsp of Balsamic Strawberries on top, allowing the syrup to drizzle down the sides of the Brie.
11. Top each cracker with a Basil leaf.

There you have it my simple cocktail canapes- Brie with Balsamic Strawberries!

Serve & Enjoy!

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Chardonnay (unoaked or lightly oaked): Chardonnay’s buttery texture and subtle acidity pair beautifully with the creamy richness of Triple Brie. An unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay with hints of green apple and citrus will balance the sweetness of the strawberries without overwhelming the dish.

Champagne or Sparkling Wine: The effervescence of Champagne or a quality sparkling wine cuts through the richness of the Brie, while the wine’s acidity complements the sweetness of the balsamic strawberries. This pairing also adds an element of celebration to your canapé.

NB: A Brut Champagne or a Prosecco with hints of apple, pear, and citrus will work well.

Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir, with its light body and bright acidity, pairs well with both the creaminess of the Brie and the sweet-tart strawberries. The wine’s red fruit notes (like cherry and raspberry) echo the flavours in the topping, while its earthy undertones complement the basil garnish.

Reisling Off-Dry: An off-dry Riesling offers a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the strawberries and balsamic vinegar, while its acidity balances the richness of the Brie. The floral and citrus notes in the wine will complement the basil garnish as well.

Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc’s high acidity and herbaceous notes make it a natural partner for the basil garnish, while its citrus and green fruit flavours balance the richness of the Brie and the sweetness of the strawberries.

NB: A Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or the Loire Valley (like Sancerre) will enhance the freshness of the dish.

Rosé: A dry rosé is versatile and pairs well with a variety of foods, making it a great choice for your salami roll-ups. Its bright acidity cuts through the richness of the cream cheese, while its red fruit flavours enhance the savoury notes of the salami and olive tapenade.

NB: Look for a Provence Rosé or a dry Rosé from California for a versatile pairing.

Each of these wines brings something unique to the table, enhancing different aspects of your appetiser. Whether you prefer a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or the celebratory bubbles of Champagne, you can’t go wrong with these choices with these simple cocktail canapes.