A brie love affair

And no, it's not brief, it's very much on-going. This started back in my East Lansing days (see glory days) during a trip to Beggar's for Wine Wednesday. It was always half-off appetizers and wine on Wednesdays. One of my friends ordered the baked brie and the rest is history!

I love to make this rendition for parties and gatherings. It is SO simple and tastes delish. Just add vino...

You start with a wheel of brie, your choice on the size depending on how many you want to serve. You will also need one or two packages (depending on wheel size) of Pillsbury crescent rolls or comparable pastry crust.

Preheat the oven to 350. Then flatten out the crescent rolls and knead together along the seams if you bought more than one package. Wrap this around the brie and place it, seam side down, onto a baking sheet. This will need to bake for 20-30 minutes or until the crust becomes golden in color and flaky in texture.

While the brie is baking slice up an apple or two and arrange crackers on a dish. When the brie is done, serve warm! I find a perfect bite to have cracker, apple and brie, and of course a glass of wine in your other hand.

I served this with an Italian wine, one of my favorites from Montelpulciano, a town in Tuscany I visited in 2006. This region actually has a special kind of grape called, Montelpulciano d' Abruzzo and every single wine I have had made with this grape is fantastico! This variety, from Trader Joe's, actually happens to be made with organic grapes which I think is cool. More, much, much more, on Italy later!!