1whole sprigfresh thyme(you will remove it from the pan after the compote is done)
¼cupsugar
¼cupwater
pinch of salt
Instructions
Remove cheese from all packaging and cover in plastic wrap; place in refrigerator; allow puff pastry to thaw in refrigerator or at room temperature (See Recipe Notes)
1 wheel brie cheese
In a saucepan on medium heat add pears, sugar, water, spices, seasonings and the thyme sprig
2 pears, ¼ teaspoon Apple Pie Seasoning, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, 1 whole sprig fresh thyme, ¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup water, pinch of salt
On medium-high heat, cook the pear mixture (about 10-minutes) until pears begin to break down and sauce thickens; use a whisk or fork to mash the pears; add lemon juice; remove the thyme sprig
Cover and refrigerate pear compote until it is cool
Roll out puff pastry sheet on lightly floured surface
1 pkg. puff pastry
Preheat oven to 425º F; line baking sheet with parchment paper
Remove cheese from refrigerator; slice in half; (if you want to remove the rind, do it now: slice the top and bottom rinds off; then slice the rind from the sides)
Place 1-2 large spoonfuls (serving size spoon) of cooled pear compote on one side of the brie half
Replace the other (top) half of the cheese over the pear compote
Place brie wheel on pastry dough
Gently pull the sides of the dough up over the cheese; work around the brie, bringing up the sides of the dough; pinch the dough together on top
Combine egg and water in a small bowl
1 whole egg, 1 teaspoon water
Using a brush, gently brush the egg wash over the pastry
Place on parchment lined baking dish and bake 15-25 minutes, or until golden brown
Use a spatula to slide under the cheese disc and place it on a serving dish; allow for the brie to cool a bit before serving
Notes
Make sure brie is very cold before slicing it
Thawing Puff Pastry
Puff pastry should be slightly cold when it goes into a HOT oven : Why? chilled pastry rises better than room-temperature pastry. If you thaw your puff pastry at room temperature, you might want to put it back in the refigerator until you're ready to wrap the brie wheel. You want the pastry slightly chilled.
For best results, make sure your pastry is slightly chilled and your oven is pre-heated and HOT