Grilled Creamy Brie, Fresh Tomato and Red Onion Focaccia

Name: Grilled Creamy Brie, Fresh Tomato and Red Onion Focaccia
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 loaf (450 g/1 lb) focaccia bread sliced in half horizontally - see cooking tip; 1 tbsp (15 mL) melted butter; 2 tbsp (30 mL) Dijon mustard; 7 oz (200 g) double cream Canadian Brie cut into 1/2-inch (1 1/2 cm) cubes (about 1-1/2 cups/375 mL); 2 cups (500 mL) chopped Roma tomatoes seeded; 1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped red onion; 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh basil loosely packed; 1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground pepper

Nothing says summer in Canada like tomatoes and basil. Add smooth Canadian Double Cream Brie and tangy red onion tucked into a grilled Focaccia bread and you've got the perfect starter idea for your next party. Slide the warm, savoury bread onto a large platter or wooden cutting board and let guests serve themselves.

Prep: 15 min
Cooking: 8 min - 10 min

Yields 4 servings

grilled creamy brie fresh tomato and red onion focaccia

Ingredients

1 loaf (450 g/1 lb) focaccia bread sliced in half horizontally - see cooking tip
1 tbsp (15 mL) melted butter
2 tbsp (30 mL) Dijon mustard
7 oz (200 g) double cream Canadian Brie cut into 1/2-inch (1 1/2 cm) cubes (about 1-1/2 cups/375 mL)
2 cups (500 mL) chopped Roma tomatoes seeded
1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh basil loosely packed
1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground pepper

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

Preheat barbecue 450 °F (230 °C).

Brush one side of each bread slice with melted butter and the other side with Dijon mustard. Place one bread slice mustard-side-up on centre of a sheet of aluminum foil that is twice the length of the bread. In medium bowl, gently combine Canadian Brie cheese, tomatoes, red onion, basil and pepper; spread mixture evenly on bread slice. Top with second bread slice, butter side up.

Fold foil around bread and seal tightly.Place foil package directly on hot grill. With lid closed, sear for 2 minutes each side. Turn burner under bread to low, leaving other burners at medium-high. With lid closed, grill 2 to 3 min more per side or until bread is toasted and cheese is melting. Let stand 5 min before opening package. Serve immediately.

Tips

Buy your favourite uncut 1 lb (450 g) loaf of sandwich bread, remove top and bottom crusts and slice remaining centre of loaf into two 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick slices. Use crusts and leftover slices for sandwiches, breadcrumbs or croutons or freeze for future use.

For a richer, more gooey sandwich, replace double cream Canadian Brie with triple cream Brie cheese.

Substitute 1 cup (250 mL) Canadian buffalo mozzarella and 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) shredded Canadian Canadian-Swiss for the 2 cups (500 mL) cubed Canadian Brie cheese. Be sure to pat dry the mozzarella before and after slicing.