Polenta Crusted Brie(With Brandied Pear-Cranberry Salsa)
Crispy polenta-crusted brie with a sweet-tart brandied pear-cranberry salsa offers a delightful combination of creamy cheese and crunchy coating, perfect for elegant appetizers or parties.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut the cheese into 8 wedges and set aside.
- Stir together the flour and salt in a shallow dish.
- Whisk together the egg and milk in a small mixing bowl.
- Stir together the cornmeal and cinnamon in another shallow dish.
- Heat vegetable oil for deep frying to 365°F in a heavy 3-quart saucepan or deep fryer.
- Coat each cheese wedge with the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat with the cornmeal mixture.
- Gently lower 2 cheese wedges at a time into hot oil and fry for 40-60 seconds until golden brown.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried cheese wedges to paper towels to drain.
- Serve warm with Brandied Pear-Cranberry Salsa.
Tips & Substitutions
For a crispier texture, ensure the oil is at the correct temperature before frying; use a thermometer for accuracy. You can substitute the Brie with Camembert or even a goat cheese for a tangier flavor. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the polenta crusted Brie warm, accompanied by the Brandied Pear-Cranberry Salsa for a delightful contrast of flavors. This dish pairs beautifully with Deluxe Rolls or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. Consider serving with a light white wine for an elevated experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover fried polenta crusted Brie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore their crispiness, avoiding the microwave which may make them soggy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Polenta Crusted Brie(With Brandied Pear-Cranberry Salsa) contains roughly 204 calories, with 4g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (30% of the Daily Value) and calcium (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron. It also contributes 8g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the cheese wedges in advance?
Yes, you can coat the cheese wedges in the flour, egg, and cornmeal mixtures ahead of time. Just keep them refrigerated until you're ready to fry. This makes for quick assembly when you're ready to serve.
What can I use instead of cornmeal?
If you don't have cornmeal, you can use breadcrumbs or ground oats as a substitute for coating the cheese. This will alter the flavor slightly but will still provide a nice crunch.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
This recipe is already vegetarian as it contains no meat. However, to enhance the dish, consider adding herbs or spices to the cornmeal mixture for additional flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).