Brie cheese has always been my best option for a dinner appetizer, especially if I have a small family gathering.
The hard rind on the brie may make melting brie cheese challenging; however, using a microwave makes things easier and faster.
Can you microwave brie cheese?
Yes, you can microwave brie cheese. Slice the top hard rind part of the brie, align parchment paper on a microwavable bowl, and set the brie in the bowl. Microwave the brie cheese at high power for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on how soft and tender you want.
This article explains whether it is possible to microwave brie cheese. The discussed topics are: Should Brie Cheese Be Served Warm or Cold? Can You Defrost Frozen Brie In The Microwave?, How Long Can You Microwave Brie Cheese? Among others.
The Step-to-Step Procedure for Microwaving Brie Cheese
Below are the requirements and procedure I use to microwave brie cheese at home. The process is fast and effortless.
Requirements
- Brie cheese
- Parchment paper
- Microwavable bowl
- Sharp kitchen knife
Procedure
1. Preparing the brie cheese
The hard rind is the first thing you notice when you look at brie cheese before microwaving. The rind is always stubborn to heat and may prevent the cheese from melting as it should. The best way to deal with the rind is to use a sharp kitchen knife and cut it off. You may only cut the top so the cheese will still have a bowl-like appearance, or you may remove the rind altogether.
2. Place the brie cheese on a microwavable bowl
Suppose you had cut off all the brie cheeses rind; you will be required to place the cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. However, if the top part was the only section that was chopped off, you will need to align some parchment papers on the surfaces of the microwavable bowl before setting your brie cheese on it. The parchment papers will ensure that the cheese slides off easily when it’s time to transfer it to a serving platter.
3. Microwave the brie cheese
Place the bowl with the cheese in the microwave. At high power, microwave the cheese for 1 to 3 minutes. The time to microwave your brie cheese will vary depending on your goal. For instance, for brie cheese that is still hard and farm, you could microwave it for just a minute. For brie cheese, that is just right; two minutes are enough. However, for brie cheese that is too soft and tender, 3 minutes will do it. You are advised to check on your brie cheese every 30 seconds; microwaves with higher voltage levels may not require this much time to microwave brie cheese.
Should Brie Cheese Be Served Warm Or Cold
Brie cheese tastes better when served warm. If not warm, then it should at least be at room temperature. Cold cheese tastes chewy and rubbery, while warm cheese tastes soft, smooth, and creamy.
You could serve your warm brie cheese with nuts, fruits, honey, or herbs. You could also sprinkle some pecans on top of the cheese and a drizzle of honey served with cheeseboard accouterments.
You also check on how to melt gouda cheese and American cheese
Can You Defrost Frozen Brie in the Microwave
No, it is not advisable to defrost frozen brie cheese in the microwave. Instead, you are advised to transfer the brie cheese from the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight before using it the following morning. Or rather, you could remove the brie cheese from the fridge and place it on the kitchen counter at room temperature for about two hours.
Placing frozen brie cheese in the microwave to defrost puts the brie at risk of melting and even overheating. The microwave may also be unable to defrost the entire cheese evenly, leading to hot spots that will cause the cheese to heat and even melt in certain parts while others are yet to defrost.
How Long Can You Microwave Brie Cheese
With an average microwave, brie cheese should microwave for 1 to 3 minutes. However, the time will vary depending on the various things listed below.
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How soft do you want the brie cheese to be?
One minute is enough if you want brie cheese that is a bit farm and hard. For brie cheese, that is just right, and with the right texture, 1min 30 sec to 2 minutes will be enough. For brie cheese that is incredibly soft and tender, you may need to microwave your brie cheese for up to 3 minutes.
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The availability of the rind
Suppose you had altogether removed the rind on the brie cheese. The microwaving time will reduce. The rind is hard, and it could sometimes prevent heat from getting to the brie cheese to melt, which is why it is advisable to cut off the top part of the rind or to cut it off completely to allow the brie cheese to melt easier and faster.
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The wattage of the microwave
Higher wattage levels simply mean lesser microwaving time. If your microwave has a higher wattage level, the microwaving time mentioned above may be too much for your cheese. You are therefore advised to check on the progress of your brie cheese after every 30 seconds to ensure that it does not overheat.
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The quantity of the brie cheese
If you are microwaving brie cheese for a single serving, you may consider reducing the microwaving time or checking on the cheese to ensure it does not overheat.
I microwave my brie cheese for up to 2 minutes since my microwave’s wattage level is low, and I make the cheese for an entire family gathering.
Which is the Best Way to Warm up Brie
Microwaving is the best, fastest, and most efficient way to warm up brie. However, like all cooking methods, specific things should be done to ensure the process is completed effortlessly.
Removing its hard rind is the first and most important factor to ensure efficiency when microwaving brie. The hard rind may prevent heat from spreading evenly through the cheese. Use a sharp knife and cut it off. You may cut only the top of the entire rind.
The second is to ensure you are using a microwave-safe bowl. The bowl must be made of glass, ceramic, or microwave-safe material. Do not place brie cheese in a plastic bowl to microwave; the plastic bowl will be heated to the point of melting and mixing your brie cheese with dangerous plastic content that can cost you your health in the future.
Thirdly, Microwave in smaller intervals. Microwaves microwave at different microwaving power depending on their wattage level. The time I may use to microwave my brie cheese may not be the same time you need to microwave your own. Ensure you microwave the brie in 30 seconds intervals to allow you to check the doneness of the brie and prevent overheating.
How to Store Brie Cheese
After opening up its wrapper, the best way to store leftover brie cheese is to wrap its original wrapper in another plastic wrapper or aluminum foil. Or you could remove the cheese from its original wrapper and wrap it in wax or parchment paper, place it in a plastic wrap, and refrigerate. The cheese will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
You could also place the cheese in the freezer to extend its shelf life. However, before placing it in the freezer, chop the brie cheese into portions slightly larger than 1/2 pound and wrap them in a heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap. The cheese will last in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Brie cheese stored in the freezer may not taste as it used to when fresh. The cheese will taste crumbly and lose some of its flavors. It is best if such cheese is used for cooking sauces, soups, and casseroles.
Suppose your brie cheeses expiry date was due, do not bother storing it in the fridge or freezer; it is wise to throw it away.
The Best Thawing Method for Frozen Brie Cheese
The best way to thaw frozen brie cheese is the refrigeration method. You remove the frozen cheese from the freezer, place it in the fridge, and let it thaw overnight.
When brie has been thawed using this method, you could let the brie stay in the fridge for another extra 3 to 4 days before using it.
Another thawing method is allowing the brie cheese to stay at room temperature for at least two hours before using it. The disadvantage of letting the cheese stay at room temperature is that you will be required to finish the entire cheese. The remaining cheese will no longer be safe to be stored in the fridge.
How to Tell Whether Brie Cheese Has Gone Bad
Brie cheese that is no longer good for human consumption will have a bad smell, molding, and the texture will harden.
Below is a detailed explanation
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Formation of mold
The colour on the outer surface of the cheese will begin to change and become darker. When the colour changes, it is a clear sign of mold growth. Mold is dangerous for human consumption and could cause serious health complications.
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Bad smell
Suppose you notice an off smell coming from the brie cheese wrapper; that is another clear sign that things are no longer the same. Such cheese should not be tasted to confirm whether it is still in good condition. The smell should be enough to stop you from eating it. It should be thrown away.
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Hardened texture
When the brie cheese is no longer soft and fluffy, it is not suitable for you. Often it is due to loose of moisture. Such cheese may not yet smell awful or have molds but could cause severe stomach upset if consumed.
Can You Microwave Baked Brie Cheese
Yes, you can microwave baked brie cheese. Slice the top, place it on a microwavable bowl, and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. Ensure to check the doneness after every thirty seconds.
I microwaved my baked brie mainly to ensure that it stayed firm on the top but soft and gooey in the middle. Below is my simple procedure and a few requirements to make the process easier for me.
Requirements
- Baked brie
- Knife
- Microwavable bowl
Procedure
1. Slice the rind
Use a knife to run a knife on the rind of the baked brie or crisscross the knife over it. This ensures that the heat from the microwave penetrates the inner part of the brie to soften it.
2. Microwave the brie
Place the baked and top sliced brie in a microwavable bowl, then in the microwave. Microwave the brie at an interval of 30 seconds as you check its doneness. The brie shouldn’t have to microwave for longer than 2 minutes.
3. Serve
You may serve your baked, then microwaved brie with fresh cranberries and baked pears.
Final thoughts
Yes, you can microwave brie cheese, chop off the hard rind on top, place it in a microwavable bowl aligned with parchment paper, and microwave at higher per for 1 to 3 minutes.
However, do not forget to keep checking on the cheese every 30 seconds. Since it has been agreed that not all microwaves have the same power, your microwave could microwave the brie cheese faster than mine.
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