It’s that time of year when we swap 30-minute dinners for multi-course meals, complete with hors d’oeuvres and after-dinner drinks. Planning menus full of festive foods is an exciting adventure for some and an overwhelming obstacle for others. The most useful advice I was given before hosting my first holiday was to get help from the grocery store. It was the permission slip I needed to pick up a side dish or dessert so I could focus on making family favorites from scratch.
This year I’m making Aldi my first stop for holiday groceries. This discount grocer has everything I need, including frozen turkeys and heat-and-eat breads for sopping up gravy. But if you only put one Aldi grocery on your shopping list this season, make it the Emporium Selection Brie cheese round.
What’s So Great About Emporium Selection Brie Cheese?
The best part of any holiday celebration is the food, and that starts with the apps. Aldi’s award-winning Brie is a must-have for a cheese board. It’s mild and creamy with a soft, boomy rind. Round out the board with Aldi’s other cheese selections and your appetizer spread has practically made itself!
What’s the Best Way to Use Emporium Selection Brie Cheese?
If you really want to impress your guests, kick off your holiday meal with baked Brie. Place the entire wheel of cheese on a thawed square of store-bought puff pastry, then top it with cranberry sauce, fig jam, or toasted nuts and brown sugar. Wrap the ends of the pastry over the cheese together, creating a pastry bundle. Bake at 400°F until the pastry is golden-brown and puffed, then serve with sliced apples and an assortment of bread or crackers. The contrasting textures of the flaky pastry, gooey cheese, and crisp dippers are irresistible.
If a smaller app is what you’re after, you can also use the Brie to make these adorable baked Brie bites in a muffin tin.
Find it in stores: Emporium Selection Brie Cheese Round, $2.99 for 8 ounces
What’s your favorite item to buy at Aldi for the holidays? Share your pick in the comments below.