Finally, Brie.

Brie. Ah yes, I think I can still pronounce the word... b-r-i-e.

It has got to have been at least a good 2 years since I've sank my teeth into that mild, creamy, slightly earthy cheese. Umm, one of the most exquisite uses of cow's milk around(I think I say that about any soft or pungent cheese though).

Oh, those were the days of endless consumption of pears spread high with brie, and washed down with a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc. I remember the last Christmas season that my mom, sisters and I were all together. Some time during the visit we discovered that each of us had managed to incorporate this treat into our daily lives. For the remainder of our vacation, we were inseparable indulging on this splendid little nibble. Every trip to the grocery store was simply just to satisfy our brie and pear fixation. Oh, the cart would be brimming to the top with other staple distractions such as eggs and milk. But we all knew what really mattered was there buried at the bottom of the cart. We would race home through the snow and perch ourselves on top of the large counter. Deep in a trance, caring of nothing else as we giggled under the enchantment of the classical combination.

Now I'm left to ask myself... What has been stopping me from purchasing that box of brie that I've given half an eye to every single shopping trip?! I'm at a lost for excuses but at least I finally found myself throwing a pack of it into my basket, and In true form, raced home to taste my daily catch. I swung open my door leaving all other groceries carelessly strewed about on the floor, and sliced straight into the heart of the cheese and sweet pears.

I can't believe that I could have been so stubborn as to almost let the 2 year mark go by without a single taste of this delightful perfection. That great sweet, nutty, earthy combination was welcomed back into my life like an old friend off on a far away trip. I could almost picture my family standing there with me scraping up the last bits of rind.

I decided to still honor the beloved combination of pears and brie, by throwing it all together into a simplistic sandwich. I searched for a few small leaves of arugula, never seeing it here, but hoping that perhaps it was one of those items that I had seemingly overlooked. With no such luck I went with a good substitute of spicy radicchio to cut through the sweetness of the juicy pears. I also picked up a nice loaf of walnut bread and fig jam that I thought would pair nicely in my sandwich.

The radicchio did seem outlandishly expensive, considering what it is. However a little does go a long ways, and I am left with 90% of it that will be great for adding color, texture and nutrition to my future salads. Radicchio is a natural antioxidant and carries a good amount of vitamin A, K and B6.

Brie and pear Sandwich on Toasted Walnut Bread

Brie 30 gr

Pear, sliced 50 gr

Radicchio leaves 10 gr (but it really just depends on your taste)

Fig jam 10 gr

Walnut bread, or any other artisan loaf 2 slices

Pinch of salt

Spread a small amount of fig jam onto the bread. Slice brie and pears, layering the brie directly on both pieces of bread followed by 1 layer of pears. Sprinkle the pears with a pinch of salt to help bring out their flavor. Combine the two slices of bread, and toast in a nonstick pan, pressing down to heat through the cheese.

Once toasted remove from heat, and add the radicchio leaves. Slice and serve with a nice mixed green salad with a simple vinaigrette for a complete meal.

Photography by Jeff Tafoya