Read Safe Haven with Brie Puff Pastry Bites with Cherry Preserves

These were my inspiration on Pinterest of the Baked Brie Bites



Ok, here are how mine really came out  - not quite as beautiful as hers



Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Normally I don't blog about romantic Nicholas Sparks books - although if The Notebook didn't bring a tear to your eye, there is something wrong with you.  I downloaded this book on my Kindle and couldn't put it down!  It's the perfect combination of romance mixed with suspense, mystery, and spoiler alert...a happy ending!  I loved it, and can't wait to see it in the movies when it comes out...although, I saw the previews and the characters don't look like what I pictured at all.

Anyway, the main character Katie, has a date with her neighbor, Alex and she makes him dinner - the dinner seemed a little mismatched but each component sounded good - she made a bacon wrapped brie with raspberry sauce for the appetizer, and then for dinner she made stuffed green peppers, shrimp stuffed with crab meat cooked in a scampi sauce, and corn bread. 

Inspired by the baked bacon wrapped brie with raspberry sauce, I made Brie Bites in Puff Pastry with Cherry (you could use Raspberry) Preserves. They were really good!

I adapted the recipe from this blog: http://joythebaker.com/2011/12/bite-sized-baked-brie/ and she has STEP BY STEP (very anal) instructions for those that want them.

Bite-sized Baked Brie

makes 24 squares

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed but still cold

1/2 wedge of brie (about 4 ounces), cold

1/3 cup cherry jam (or any flavor you fancy!)

1 large egg, beaten

splash of milk

coarse sea salt

• All-butter, store bought puff pastry  usually comes frozen and folded into thirds.  We’re going to use these folded thirds to our advantage.  Cut the puff pastry into thirds along the creases.  Cut each panel into four pieces.  They’ll be 2 1/4-inch tall and 3-inches wide.  One sheet of puff pastry will yield 12 rectangles.  Cut each rectangle in half.  You’ll have 24 little rectangles that will create 12 little rectangle pockets.
• Combine beaten egg and splash of milk.  Brush 12 of the small rectangles with egg wash.  If you’d like to make brie bites on sticks, now is the time!  Place a popsicle stick halfway up the puff pastry and press in gently.  Place a small sliver of brie (rind and all) on top of the egg wash (and stick).  Top with about 1/2 teaspoon of cherry jam.  Take another square of puff pastry and press between your fingers to make the rectangle slightly bigger.  Place puff pastry on top of the cheese and jam.  Use a fork to press the edges together.  The egg wash will act as  glue.  Make sure to seal the edges well by crimping with the fork.  Prick the top lightly with a fork.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Place prepared brie bites on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Brush with egg wash.  Sprinkle with a touch of coarsely ground sea salt.  Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
• Brie bites are best served warm, but are also delicious at room temperature.