Baked Brie with Grape Balsamic Compote

Today I bring you guys the last of my purple food posts. It took a couple weeks, but we made it! This is another recipe that I’m pretty proud of. I rarely make up my own recipes and this is one of those rare exceptions. For whatever reason, the idea of using grapes to make purple food didn’t cross my mind until the day before the party.

I had put baked brie on the menu and had planned to make a blueberry compote to put on top. But then it hit me – use grapes (duh!) So I used this blueberry sauce as an inspiration for the compote. I wanted it to be thicker, so I bumped up the amount of cornstarch.

I was a bit concerned that it would be too sweet, and I know balsamic pairs well with strawberries, so I decided to make the cornstarch slurry using balsamic vinegar instead of water. It worked like a charm. This grape balsamic compote was nice and thick and had a subtle savory tone from the balsamic. I added some toasted almond slivers to give it some texture and voila – I had created an AMAZING appetizer that was also purple.

The Baked Brie with Grape Balsamic Compote was a huge hit. And I’ve made it twice since the party. I used a goat milk brie wheel so that I could enjoy this appetizer. The goat milk wheels are 6 oz. I believe cow’s milk brie wheels come in 8 oz containers, but you should have enough compote using the recipe below.

I also wanted to share this trick about baking brie with you guys. I can’t remember where I learned this but Hubby was shocked when he saw me pop the “lid” off the brie after it had baked. Prior to baking your brie, use a sharp knife to cut around the top of the rind. You don’t want to cut it completely off, just cut about a 1/4 inch into the brie right under the top all the way around. While the brie is in the oven, the cheese will get all melty and gooey. Then when you take it out of the oven, you can just remove the top of the rind like so:

gGEKjp on Make A Gif, Animated Gifs

Hope you guys have enjoyed all the purple food. As a reminder, here are the other foods I serves at my 1000th Post Party:

Two Years Ago: Homemade Oreos (again)
Three Years Ago: Coconut Lime Cupcakes
Four Years Ago: Dairy Free Mac and Cheese with Broccoli and Cauliflower

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Baked Brie with Grape Balsamic Compote

Fruit and cheese are such a classic combination. I used a 6 oz wheel of brie because I use goat milk brie. If you use an 8 oz wheel, bump up the ingredients of the compote a bit as well.

Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients:

For the Compote
1 cup black seedless grapes
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
2 tsp balsamic vinegar

For the Brie
6 oz wheel of brie
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
crackers and/or toasted baguette for serving

Directions:

For the Compote
Poke 2-3 holes in each of the grapes and place in a medium pan. Add the sugar and cook over medium heat. Use a potato masher to encourage the grapes to release their juices.

Combine the cornstarch and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl.

Once the grapes have released most of their juices, stir in the slurry and boil for one minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

For the Brie
Preheat oven to 350.

Place brie round in a small oven-safe dish. Using a sharp knife, cut into the rind about 1/4" all the way around, just under the top of the brie. You don't want to cut the top completely off.

Bake 10 minutes.

Place dish onto a larger platter. Lift the top of the brie with a knife and remove. Spoon grape compote on top of brie. Sprinkle with toasted almonds.

Serve with baguette slices and crackers.

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23 Responses to “Raspberry Meringue Cookies”

  1. #
    1
    Steph — January 16, 2009 at 1:09 am

    These are so cute and perfect for Valentine’s Day!

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    2
    bensbaby116 — January 16, 2009 at 1:43 am

    They’re so pretty!! I love meringues, I love raspberry, and I love chocolate… I might have to try this recipe. Thanks for posting!

  3. #
    3
    Linds — January 16, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Those looks absolutely lovely! Great job!

  4. #
    4
    Melissa — January 16, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    How pretty, pink & perfect!

  5. #
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    Kristen616 — January 16, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Not only are they SO pretty but they look delicious! I love that flavor combination.

  6. #
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    Erin — January 16, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    I bet those would be great for a wedding or baby shower! They look lovely! And I bet the raspberry/dark chocolate combo tasted great!

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    7
    Colleen — January 16, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    These are BEAUTIFUL!

  8. #
    8
    Jen — January 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    These would be perfect for a baby shower. You could probably use any flavor jello in them.

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    9
    Joelen — January 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    gorgeous pic and the flavor of raspberry and chocolate is wonderful!

  10. #
    10
    Lori — January 19, 2009 at 2:27 am

    Those look amazing. I love that first photo, nicely done!

  11. #
    11
    mooskietx — January 19, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Just looking at the picture makes me feel like i need to go to the gyms in Boston.

  12. #
    12
    Katie — January 20, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    Oh my gosh, these look INSANELY awesome!! I want one right now!!

  13. #
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    Lucy — February 20, 2009 at 12:14 am

    These looks simply gorgeous! and… I have a cookie tray to make for a baby shower… my yet to born grandson. Wonder how these would look in a light blue????

  14. #
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    Jen — February 20, 2009 at 1:21 am

    You could definitely use blue jello.

  15. #
    15
    Alicia — February 20, 2009 at 3:43 am

    These are so pretty! Im having a baby shower this weekend for a baby girl and these would be perfect. Which tip did you use for the star?

  16. #
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    Jen — February 20, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    I used the really big star tip. Not sure what # it is, but it’s the same one that I used for my peppermint meringues (there’s a picture in that post).

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    creativecarryout — February 20, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    I saw this on tastespotting and wanted to comment on how gorgeous your photo is. I’ve bookmarked your recipe too – these are beautiful and I bet delicious with that flavor combination.
    Thanks,
    Michelle
    http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/

  18. #
    18
    Jen — February 20, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Thanks for the compliments!

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    19
    Jennifer — February 21, 2009 at 11:57 am

    Those are so cute!!!!!!!!

  20. #
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    Erin — March 3, 2009 at 2:03 pm
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    colleen — March 9, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Very good meringues… have made them several times for church since I found this recipe… they evaporate instantly ! Great also for a non wheat gluten item.

    • beantownbaker — March 9th, 2013 @ 3:01 pm

      Glad you enjoy them!

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    behance — October 12, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    I feel useful from the sharing you bring. Thank you for the value you bring to the reader

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