Jarlsberg Cheese recently held a recipe contest using their cheese.
We didn't win with our entry but we still wanted to share it with everyone.
I went outside of my comfort zone to develop this recipe. I'm normally not a cheese and fruit kind-of person but this combination really blew me away. (If I do say so myself....)
There is only 6 ingredients but I guarantee this appetizer will have your guests coming back for more. It is super simple yet very elegant and only takes about 40 minutes from start to finish!
Jarlsberg Braid
Ingredients
12 dried figs, chopped
2 small, tart apples
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup shredded Jarlsberg Cheese
1 pkg puff pastry (We use Tenderflake - HERE)
Topping
Beaten egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 400. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
Place chopped figs in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Chop the apples into small pieces and place in saucepan with the figs.
Cook and stir until figs and apples have softened, about 5 - 10 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Remove from heat and stir in chopped pecans.
Roll out the puff pastry into a long rectangle.
Sprinkle 1/2 the cheese down the center. (See photo below)
Spread the apple/fig mixture on top of the cheese. (See photo below)
Top with remaining cheese.
Make cuts approx 1 inch apart down the sides of the pastry. (See photo below)
Carefully fold the top of the pastry up over the filling. Then, fold the pastry on each side up and over the filling, alternating sides. (See photo below)
Continue all the way to the bottom. Fold up the bottom of the pastry over the end of the filling.
Brush the pastry with beaten egg using a pastry/basting brush. (See photo below)
Bake at 400 for 20 - 25 minutes, until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Let cool for about 10 minutes before slicing with a serrated knife.
Serve warm or room temp.
FYI - this goes great with a glass of sangria.
There is so much going on in this recipe - sweet, savory, crunchy, chewy - it really does make an amazing treat. I brought it to my office and it was devoured in minutes!
Look at all that gooey cheese peeking out.
P.S. - Jarlsberg really is an amazingly delicious cheese. You should give it a try if you haven't yet!!
We're sharing over at Carole's Chatter. Be sure to stop by and say Hi.
