Have a Have-It-All Holiday with La Dolce Vita

You’re still looking for a gift for the holidays, huh? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Giving the gift of cheese is pretty much the in thing this year, and we’ve got a gift for pretty much everyone. It takes a single gift to transport your loved ones across oceans with some of the world’s greatest cheese. First stop? Italy.

It’s no secret that Italians do the whole eating thing right. Especially when it comes to cheese and meat. In this collection, we’ve hit up all the classic cheeses you think of when Italy is brought up – nutty Fontina, sheepy Pecorino, and spicy Gorgonzola, of course. Fontina Fontal is the epitome of the Italian table cheese, perfect for snacking with its supple paste and sweet, nutty flavor. You’ve most likely had Pecorino before – this Italian classic takes many shapes and forms, but the one we love most is hearty, crumbly, and full-flavored. The Gorgonzola is Mountain Gorgonzola, which is firm, sliceable, and delectably tangy with a hint of earthiness. Throw in the creamy La Tur, and it’s a full spread of all the amazing cheeses that Italy has to offer.

And then there’s the meat. The Italians invented salami – perfecting the process of preserving meat through salt, cool temperatures, and time. Murray’s own Sopressata is a classic salami derived from Italy’s most popular recipe, a combination of coarsely ground pork, garlic, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Our Speck is a smoked, full-muscle cut similar to silky Prosciutto, and aged in an herbed crust made up of juniper, thyme, sage, and fennel. Both pair well with the briny, peppery Castelvetrano Olives and crunchy Tarallini Crackers that accompany the gift pack.

It’s La Dolce Vita – the Sweet Life. And there’s nothing sweeter than giving cheese for the holidays. And receiving it, too!

Getting Baked: An Easy Baked Brie Recipe for the Holidays

Cooking for the holidays couldn’t get any easier than this withthe Brie Baker Gift Set. I’m all about spending hours in the kitchen, cooking with friends and eating lots of cheese but the cheese biz is hectic this time of year — not much time to spend in the kitchen! After long days in cheese land, finding the right dish to bring to holiday festivities  can be a bit challenging.

It needs to be:

Brie Baker Gift Set

1. Mostly Cheese…. Do I need to explain?

2. Cheap and Easy… I love my friends but gotta watch the wallet!

3. Impressive…. Because I got a cheese rep to keep up, ya know?

Sometimes you’ve gotta go with Betty Crocker, but it’s gotta look Martha Stewart. There are a couple of ways to bake a wheel of cheese, but this year we got our hands on a new piece of cookware that is perfect for the job. In fact, I love this guy so much, I sent my mom the “Brie Baker Gift Set” which comes with the cheese and Fig Jam.

This stuff is versatile — a great savory early party snack, or sweet after dinner indulgence.

Here is what you need:

                 1. Grab A Brie Baker                       2. Choose A Wheel of Cheese

        In Bright Murray’s Red!                                          We went with Camembert.

3. Get Jammin’
           Fruity Anarchy in a Jar         Savory With Tomato Jam        Luscious Fig Jam

 

4.Toppings!

Go nuts, keep it savory or sweeten it up.

 

 

 

 

 

5.Bake That Brie!

  Pop that wheel in — nice and snug.                              Spread that jam on thick!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top with some cherries.                                              And some Marcona Almonds.

Pop it in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.

Grab a crispy baguette, rip off a chunk and get dippin’. Couldn’t be easier, and you now look like a culinary mastermind. This dish is great for the lazy college students heading home for the holidays looking to impress everyone at family dinner. Or a soccer mom looking for an effortless dish to bring to that holiday party. Even better, it’s a great project for the little ones… let the kids choose the toppings and go nuts! And don’t forget, it’s a great gift.

And that’s that. You are now officially a Brie Baker!