Baked brie in a sourdough loaf

Babiche Martens

Cooking with cheese brings an extra sense of indulgence to any dish; it can transform a simple pizza, risotto or salad. This baked brie in a sourdough loaf has a wonderful rustic feel.

Remember, when you scoop out the inside of the bread, don’t discard it. Break it into pieces and bake alongside the loaf to use as extra dipping sticks. For a short-cut version, use a store-bought onion jam as the base, but be sure to add the sage leaves for their point of difference and delicious flavour.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp	Olive oil
2	Red onions, sliced thinly
2 Tbsp	Brown sugar
2 tsp	Balsamic vinegar
10	Sage leaves, chopped
1 loaf	Sourdough bread, small and round (Main)
1 dash	Oil, for brushing
1	Brie, small (Main)
1 small handful	Sage leaf, to serve

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 170C.
2. In a frying pan heat the oil. Add the onions and cook slowly for 10 minutes until completely soft. Add the brown sugar, balsamic, sage leaves, salt and pepper to taste, then cook for a further 10 minutes on low.
3. Slice a third from the top of the sourdough and remove the bread from the inside. Place the onions into the loaf and the brie into the middle. Brush the top of the loaf with olive oil, place it back on the loaf. Put it into the oven for 40 minutes until the outside is crisp and the cheese melted and gooey.
4. Serve hot with extra sage leaves. Break the crusty top and side of the loaf for dipping into the brie and onions.

More decadent dishes from Angela

• Pear, goat's cheese and macadamia tart
• Crayfish and parmesan spaghetti