Transform a bowl of fresh cranberries into a vibrant, jewel-toned relish.

This seasonal ferment comes together by combining cranberries, apples, honey, orange peel, orange blossom water and ferments into a culinary elixir that’s sure to wow your holiday guests.

Here, the fermented relish takes center stage as part of an indulgent, yet elegant appetizer.

The warm cheese within a baked brie wheel contrasts beautifully with the brightness of the transformed berry. Toasted pecans and fresh apples complete the frame with crunch.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a cozy meal at home, this unique baked brie recipe will delight all who partake.

Baked Brie Tips & Fermented Relish Tricks

If possible, opt for fresh cranberries. Their tartness amplifies the bright, tangy flavor of the relish and balances the sweetness of the apples and honey. If fresh cranberries aren’t available, frozen ones work just as well.
When mixing the ingredients, massage the mixture gently to avoid breaking up the cranberries. You want them to remain intact.
Be sure to pack the mixture tightly into your sterilized jar. This ensures there are no air bubbles in your ferment, and helps flavors develop evenly.
When fermenting, make sure you're using a glass jar (preferably non-reactive) to prevent any metal or plastic from altering the flavors.
Bake the brie at 350°F for approximately 15 minutes, or until it’s soft and gooey. Avoid overbaking to keep the brie’s creamy texture intact.

Ingredients

Cranberry Orange Honey Relish
* recipe eated in collaboration with ICE student Kriti Gupta
Yield: ½ gallon jar

4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, cut in half
2 granny smith apples, peeled & finely diced
2 tablespoons dried orange/tangerine peel
1 tablespoon orange blossom water
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 cup apple juice
filtered water, to cover

Brie Wheel with Fermented Cranberry Orange Honey Relish
Yield: 4 to 6

1 small brie wheel
2 cups pecans, toasted
1 seeded baguette, sliced
2 granny smith apples, sliced
3 cups fermented orange cranberry relish

Directions

Cranberry Orange Honey Relish

Add first 6 ingredients to a bowl.
Gently massage mixture 1 minute.
Allow mixture to rest 5 minutes.
Transfer contents, along with any liquid, to a sterilized ½-gallon glass jar. Note: mixture should be packed so there are no air bubbles.
Add fermentation weight. Pour in apple juice. Add filtered water until level reaches 1-inch below lower glass rim.
Attach carboy lid and ferment at room temperature 5 to 7 days.
Fasten jar lid and refrigerate ferment 1 to 2 months.

Baked Brie Wheel with Fermented Cranberry Orange Honey Relish

Preheat oven to 350º F.
Add brie wheel to parchment-lined tray and bake 15 minutes.
Add to a serving board, and surround with toasted pecans, sliced baguette, and sliced apples.
Top with fermented orange cranberry relish.

Olivia Roszkowski

Chef Olivia Roszkowski (@oliviathechef) is a native New Yorker who holds a B.A. in Neuroscience & Behavior from Columbia University and an M.A. in Food Studies from NYU. An alum of the Natural Gourmet Institute, Chef Olivia has 14 years of professional kitchen experience. She is a former chef-instructor of Plant-Based Culinary Arts at ICE.