Smoked Brie
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- 1 small wheel brie or Camembert cheese
- 2 fresh bay leaves or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cups hickory, cherrywood or applewood chips
- 1 large piece cheesecloth
- Kitchen twine
- 1 9 -inch-round disposable aluminum pie pan
- Soak the wood chips in water 1 hour, then prepare your grill for smoking.
- See instructions below.
- Lay out the cheesecloth on a work surface and brush with olive oil.
- Place the cheese in the middle and top with the bay leaves.
- Wrap the cheesecloth tightly around the cheese and tie closed with kitchen twine.
- Set the cheese, herb-side up, in the disposable pie pan.
- Once the grill reaches 250 degrees F, place the pan with the cheese on the cooler side of the grill.
- Close the grill and let smoke until slightly golden, about 20 minutes.
- If using a gas grill, turn off the flame and let the cheese sit, covered, 10 more minutes (this is not necessary if using charcoal; it imparts more smoky flavor).
- Remove from the grill and unwrap.
- Make a smoker box.
- Drain the wood chips and transfer to a small disposable aluminum pan (about 4 to 6 inches); cover tightly with foil.
- Poke 6 holes in both the foil and the bottom of the pan using a paring knife.
- How to set up your charcoal grill:
- Fill a chimney starter with briquettes; stuff the bottom with newspaper, ignite and let burn until the flames die and the coals are ashy.
- Dump the coals onto one side of the grill's bottom grate.
- Nestle the smoker box in the coals; put the top grate in place.
- When the chips start smoking, cover with the lid, closing the vents halfway, and heat the grill to 250 degrees F (use an oven thermometer if your grill doesn't come with one).
- Position the food on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat).
- Close the lid and smoke as directed, adding more coals as needed to maintain the heat.
- How to set up your gas grill:
- Preheat the grill to medium high on one side; leave the burners off on the other side.
- Place the smoker box on the grate over the flame.
- When the chips start smoking, reduce the heat to low, close the grill lid and heat to 250 degrees F.
- Position the food on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat).
- Close the lid and smoke as directed, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a grill temperature between 225 degrees F and 250 degrees F.
extravirgin olive oil, wheel brie, bay leaves, hickory, cheesecloth, kitchen twine, aluminum pie pan
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/smoked-brie.html (may not work)