Brie with a Fruity Topping

I Brie is one of those appetizers that everyone seems to love.  I don't know about you, but when I entertain I like to make delicious food that is as easy as possible to prepare and serve. It doesn't get easier than brie.   Brie requires very little preparation and can be made at the last minute.  It tastes great with fresh fruit, jams, and nuts. Did you know there are two kinds of brie?  Both kinds are French but the one made from goats milk is the creamiest type of brie. It has a somewhat salty taste.  The other is made from cows milk and has a mushroom kind of taste. Brie is delicious on its own, but a fruit topping can enhance the flavor even more. Whole Foods Makes a Great Brie Topping - that I made myself Fig Jam, walnuts, dried cranberries The other day I was in Whole Foods checking out their brie for my husband's birthday party. I noticed that in the prepared food case near the big display of olives was some prepared brie appetizer. It was made with fig preserves, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries. It looked amazing. I was about to buy a good size expensive piece for the party when my frugal guardian angel whispered in my ear - " you can make it yourself and it will save you money" - I realized he / she was right- Sitting right out in the open was a jar of fig preserves for $4.99. I had some walnuts and dried cranberries at home. I made the beautiful topping for the brie myself and it came out great! It was an easy appetizer that could be served at room temperature with a simple gluten free cracker. I actually forgot to take a photo of the finished product. This is all I had from a table shot at the end of the pary. I put a few raspberries on top too- it was after all was cleaned up and a friend was taking it hone the brie who was not gluten free and threw some bread and her shot glass on the plate This sophisticated appetizer ( which I forgot to photograph) looked amazing, tasted great, and was totally no fuss- Perfect for your next party! Look for Brie that is labeled Gluten Free It's a great gluten free choice! However, I usually look for brands like  Alouette brie that are labeled gluten free.  The cheese part of the brie is no question gluten free- it's the rind very remotely may be grown on spores from wheat. A friend called President Brand and they say their brand is also gluten free although it is not labeled- but check for yourself. Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: None Serves : one who brie +  Ingredients:  1 small jar of fig spread ( I bought it at Whole Foods) 1/4-1/2  cup of chopped walnuts 1/4-1/2 cup of dried cranberries Directions: Mix the walnuts and dried cranberries into the fig spread. Spread the mixture over the Brie ( depending on the size of your brie, you may have some spread left over. Serve at room temperature.