Camembert with cranberry jam and spiced nuts

Go for a fully indulgent starter at your next festive gathering: pan-fried Camembert with jammy cranberries and sweet-spicy nuts.

Credit: Mary Makes It Easy

• serves

  8

• prep

  10 minutes

• cook

  20 minutes

• difficulty

  Easy

Ingredients

Nuts

• ½ cup (65 g) icing sugar
• 1 tsp curry powder
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp finely chopped rosemary
• 4 tsp water
• 2 cups (approx. 300 g) salted mixed nuts

Jam

• 1 cup (95 g) cranberries, fresh or frozen and thawed
• 1 sprig rosemary
• ⅓ cup (70 g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1½ tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar

Cheese

• 1 egg
• ½ cup (30 g) panko breadcrumbs
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 250-300 g wheel Camembert cheese
• 1½ tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• Sliced baguette or crackers, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray (sheet) with baking (parchment) paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the icing sugar, curry powder, cinnamon and rosemary until well combined. Whisk in the water then stir in the nuts until evenly coated with the sugar and spice mixture.
3. Transfer the nuts to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Drizzle any remaining glaze over the nuts and bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until crisp and caramelised.
4. Allow the nuts to cool completely. At this point, the nuts should be dry to the touch. If they are still sticky, return to the oven and bake for another few minutes. Set aside to cool.
5. Meanwhile, make the jam by combining the cranberries, rosemary, sugar, water and balsamic in a small pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, mashing the cranberries against the side of the pot every so often as they begin to pop and break down until the mixture is jammy. Remove from the heat, discard the rosemary, and set aside to cool slightly or completely.
6. For the cheese, beat the egg in a shallow dish. Add the panko to a second shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. Dip the surface of the Camembert into the egg then press into the panko to coat the top and bottom of the wheel. Transfer the cheese to a plate and place in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes while you heat the oil in a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry the Camembert for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and soft, flipping carefully. If the cheese bursts, don’t worry, just keep cooking until golden.
7. Carefully transfer the cheese to a serving plate and serve alongside the cranberry jam and spiced nuts, with baguette or crackers on the side.

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.