Strangely Good and Wonderfully Familiar

We had extra fresh cranberries in our freezer, which I had no idea what to do with. I bought cranberries to make potpourri for Christmas, but otherwise I had no idea.

So, I stumbled across this pin from Recipe by Photo and thought the idea was interesting.  So, I borrowed the Boozy Cranberry Recipe and then made two different hoagie recipes - one strangely good and one wonderfully familiar.  We wrapped each one in aluminum foil and heated them for 15 minutes at 450 degrees.

Overall,  my sandwich was good, but very sweet.  And hubby loved his.  So, we'll get it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Strangely Good Cranberry Brie Hoagie

First you have to make the boozy cranberry sauce.

Boozy Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 12-Ounce Bag Fresh Organic Cranberries
• ½ Cup Sugar
• 2 Large Oranges
• 1 Shot Triple Sec

Directions

1. Half the oranges. 
2. In a large mixing bowl add the sugar and juice the orange halves.  
3. Add the Triple Sec and whisk together the juice and sugar mixture so that the sugar is mostly dissolved.
4. Add in the fresh cranberries. Mix the cranberries so they are lightly coated.
5. Place the cranberries in a baking dish or on a shallow cookie sheet.
6. Bake the cranberries at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. When they have wilted, broken open, take them out. 

Sandwich

Ingredients

• Boozy Cranberries
• Brie
• Whole Wheat Hoagie

Directions

1. Layer the cranberries and brie on the whole wheat hoagie.
2. Wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Bake in oven at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.   

Wonderfully Familiar Sandwich

Ingredients

Deli Ham
Sliced American Cheese
Hoagie

Directions

1. Layer the cranberries and brie on the whole wheat hoagie.
2. Wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Bake in oven at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.   

Brie and Jam Pops - Amazingly yummy

These Brie and Jam Pops were outstanding. I highly recommend these for anytime of the day.  We snacked on them for several days.  They are best warm.

Brie and Jam Pops

makes 24 squares (which is only 12 pops)

Ingredients

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed but still cold

1/2 wedge of brie (about 4 ounces), cold

1/3 cup blackberry jam (or any flavor you fancy!)

1 large egg, beaten

splash of milk

coarse sea salt

Directions

1. All-butter, store bought puff pastry  usually comes frozen and folded into thirds.  Use these folded thirds to our advantage by cutting the puff pastry into thirds along the creases.  
2. Cut each panel into four pieces.  They’ll be 2 1/4-inch tall and 3-inches wide.  One sheet of puff pastry will yield 12 rectangles.  Cut each rectangle in half.  You’ll have 24 little rectangles that will create 12 little rectangle pockets.
3. Combine beaten egg and splash of milk.  Brush 12 of the small rectangles with egg wash.  If you’d like to make brie bites on sticks, now is the time!  
4. Place a popsicle stick halfway up the puff pastry and press in gently.  
5. Place a small sliver of brie (rind and all) on top of the egg wash (and stick).  Top with about 1/2 teaspoon of  jam.  Take another square of puff pastry and press between your fingers to make the rectangle slightly bigger.  
6. Place puff pastry on top of the cheese and jam.  Use a fork to press the edges together. The egg wash will act as  glue.  Make sure to seal the edges well by crimping with the fork.  Prick the top lightly with a fork.
7. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Place prepared brie bites on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Brush with egg wash.  Sprinkle with a touch of coarsely ground sea salt. (I forgot this and they were still awesome.)
8. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. 
9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Brie and Jam Pops