Baked Brie with Drunken Fruit

Ingredients:
Sheet of Puff Pastry (I know, I usually don't recommend buying prepared foods, but for this I'll make an exception - if you have a recipe for puff pastry from scratch you'd be willing to share - please do!)

Round of Brie (CCGM carries Joan of Arc, which is excellent in this recipe)

1/4-1/2 cup Dried fruit (we really like craisins and/or dried tart cherries as a counter to the creamy cheese, but you can use any dried fruit you like)

1/4 cup Almonds (slivered or chopped)

Drambuie

2-3 T Brown Sugar

Instructions:
Soak the dried fruit in the Drambuie (enough to cover the fruit - you can substitute part of all of the Drambuie with orange juice if you want) - if you don't have time to wait for the fruit to plump, throw it in the microwave (30 seconds, tops), as this helps the plumping process along.

Put the Brie in the center of the puff pastry sheet. Sprinkle fruit, brown sugar, and almonds over the cheese and drizzle on some of the Drambuie for good measure (you don't want it too juicy). Wrap it up like a little present, and bake in the oven according to the puff pastry directions (usually 20-30 minutes at 350F).

Allow to cool for a few minutes - if you can stand it. Cut into servings (Russ and I can eat half of one of these each, but we're kind of piggish;). ENJOY!

Crustless Spinach Pie

Just had to share this recipe. It is easy and delicious. Try different green, cheese, and spice combos to add variety! Great for some of the cold-weather crops we talked about last time!!

Crustless Spinach Pie

Preheat oven to 350F

1/4 C butter (Amish, yum)
3 eggs (fresh brown eggs)
1 C flour
1 C milk
1 t garlic powder (or chopped fresh garlic)
1 t baking powder
12 oz shredded cheese (try some Adam's Reserve Sharp)
4 C chopped fresh spinach

Melt butter in 9x13 pan.
Beat eggs well, add flour, milk, garlic (powder or fresh chopped), baking powder. Add to the 9x13 pan. Stir in cheese and spinach. Bake for 35 minutes. Serves 6.

Some possible add-ons include: pan-fried pancetta, sauteed onions, asparagus, mustard greens, just to name a few. Spice options include ginger (you've never lived if you haven't tried fresh chopped ginger in scrambled eggs - I imagine it would be equally delicious in this recipe), fresh dill, basil, perhaps with some lightly pan fried grape tomatoes (just enough to evaporate some of the liquid).

The possibilities are endless. Try it out and share your favorites!

Th