Showy, Simple Appetizer Wreath

Need something showy yet simple for holiday get-togethers? Not your average appetizer, this impressive "wreath" is made with just a couple of store bought ingredients. And if you are a fan of wreath-themed recipes, you may want to try the gorgeous Christmas Wreath Pavlova found in the grotonherald.com archives 12/19/2014. Happy Holiday Eating!

Baked Brie Wreath

• 3 one pound balls premade pizza dough, any variety

• 1 egg

• 1 eight ounce wheel Brie or Camenbert cheese

• garnish with:

assorted olives, caperberries, marinated red cherry peppers & rosemary sprigs

• sea salt flakes and cracked black pepper

To make the wreath template, line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. In the middle of the paper trace around the cheese container to mark the center of the wreath. Turn the paper over making sure you can see the traced circle.

Separate each dough ball into eight pieces (24 pieces total) and roll each piece into tight little balls. Start with 9 or 10 balls to form the inner circle of the wreath. Place the balls about ½" from the traced circle to allow for expansion during baking. Leave about ¾" between each ball as they will expand and close all the gaps. Repeat with the remaining balls to form the outer ring of the wreath.

Cover the wreath with a slightly dampened kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour.

Slice off the top rind of the cheese wheel. It's easier to do this while the cheese is cold. Let cheese come to room temperature. When dough is almost ready, preheat oven to 400° F. Whisk the egg with a splash of water and brush the tops of all the rolls. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Remove the wreath from the oven and place the cheese wheel in the center. Return to the oven and continue to bake until cheese is bubbling, about 10 minutes. As the wreath cools slightly, garnish with olives, peppers and rosemary. Dust with the salt flakes and pepper.

Makes 12 to 15 appetizer servings.

At Gourmet Shortcuts custom private and group classes as well as cooking class parties can be booked at any time. My cooking show and clips "Gourmet Shortcuts" airs on the Groton Channel (online at grotonchannel.org, Charter channel 191 & Verizon channel 40).

All previously published Gourmet Shortcuts recipes can be found at grotonherald.com under "Sally Meddock Smith". Any questions or comments may be sent to sallymeddocksmith@yahoo.com, Gourmet Shortcuts on Facebook or posted online at grotonherald.com.