Last Minute Appetizer

Here's a very easy last minute appetizer that would be great for New Year's Eve. I prefer to bake the cups but I have also spooned the hot cranberry sauce onto the brie and it melts the cheese a little when you don't have an oven available. It's a recipe I demonstrated on Showcase MN. My friend Sue Doeden took the photo on a recent visit and I am always impressed with her work. In addition she wrote about it on her blog http://www.areavoices/suedoeden/

Hope you have a safe and happy holiday. We're waiting to see how much snow is coming and when. It's definitely a factor in everyone's plans. Will we really get up to 20 inches? More later!



Cranberry Brie Bites

During the holiday season, I make the sauce and keep it in the refrigerator. I like serving it with poultry or ham or having on hand for easy an appetizer. I also keep a box of the shells in my freezer and have Brie in the refrigerator for a last minute appetizer.

Makes 30 bites

1 pkg. (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
8 ounces Brie, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 pkg. ( 9 ounces), 30 mini fillo shells
30 pistachios, if desired

Combine the cranberries, sugar, wine, marmalade, cinnamon stick and cloves in a medium saucepan.

Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes or until berries pop and the mixture thickens.

Cool to room temperature. Remove cinnamon stick and cloves.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place fillo cups on a baking sheet. Place a cube of Brie in each cup. Spoon about 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce into each cup.

Bake 5-7 minutes or until heated through and the Brie melts. Place a pistachio on each cup before serving.