It’s blueberry season!
Okay, it isn’t blueberry season just yet (at least where I am) but I wanted to get you ready with this killer appetizer so when they are here, you can try this using Ontario’s best.
When you get your first batch, whip up this great recipe and invite some friends over to hang on the porch and chill with some cold white wine and a batch of these. Trust me, you’ll be beating them back with a stick (you might even find them taking a nap on your porch, hoping for some leftovers).
That’s what you call true friends.
Ingredients:
For the savoury jam:
3 c blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 apple, peeled and diced (use a tart apple like granny smith)
1/3 c onion, diced
1/4 c sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground ginger, (or 1 tsp grated fresh)
grated lemon rind from 1/2 lemon
To finish:
Approx 12 sheets of phyllo *
1/2 c butter
8 oz brie
*Thaw the entire box in the fridge from the night before. In the morning, remove the amount you need and re-freeze the unused portion for another time (yes, you CAN re-freeeze phyllo)
1. To make the jam, put all of the jam ingredients, except the lemon rind, into a pot and bring to a boil; reduce the heat and cook until thickened.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and add lemon zest; set aside to cool.
3. Cut the brie into smallish pieces like this (above).
4. To make the bundles, place one sheet on your cutting board (or a clean countertop if your cutting board isn’t big enough); make sure to keep the rest of the phyllo covered with a damp paper towel (it dries out quickly!).
5. Brush lightly with butter and place another sheet on top; repeat 2 more times so your stack has 3 layers.
6. Cut across the long side into 5 pieces; place a tsp of jam and a piece of cheese at the top of each strip.
7. Start with the first strip and fold one corner over to the other side to make a triangle; continue folding until you get to the bottom.
8. Continue with each strip and then make more stacks (3 layers deep) until you finish the cheese.
9. Place all of the bundles onto a lined baking sheet, seam side down
10. Bake at 375 for about 10-15 minutes, or until the tops of each bundle begin to brown.
Serve on a beautiful board with some cheese, crackers and grapes.
Who’s better than you? Noooobody!!
