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Camembert baked in its box
Camembert rôti, Normandy's molten cheese for dipping
Normandy dairy farmers have always known that a Camembert just past its best is perfect for the oven, and baked Camembert is now what friends share on cold evenings across the region, from Caen to the Pays d'Auge, with crusty bread, apple slices and boiled potatoes for dipping. The cheese stays in its wooden box, gets scored, studded with garlic and thyme and baked until the inside is liquid under a just-holding rind. It is ready in 20 minutes and makes a light supper with a salad. Real Camembert de Normandie is made with animal rennet; for a vegetarian version use a vegetarian Camembert-style cheese. Chef's tip: take off any plastic wrapping and tie the box with kitchen string if it is stapled; cheap boxes can split in the heat.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 9 oz Camembert in a wooden boxor a vegetarian Camembert-style cheese
- 1 garlic clovecut into thin slivers
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 2 crisp applescut into wedges
- 10 ½ oz small boiled potatoes (optional)warm
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan). Unwrap 9 oz Camembert in a wooden box, throw away any paper or plastic and put it back in the bottom half of its box.
Step 2: Score the top rind in a criss-cross with a sharp knife, cutting just through the rind. Push 1 garlic clove and small sprigs of 3 sprigs fresh thyme into the cuts.
Step 3: Put the box on a baking tray and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese feels soft and wobbly when you press the centre and starts to bubble through the cuts. Common mistake: baking it far longer; the cheese turns rubbery and separates instead of staying creamy.
20 minStep 4: Drizzle with 1 tbsp honey if you like and bring the hot box to the table straight away, with 2 crisp apples and 10 ½ oz small boiled potatoes and crusty bread for dipping. Peel back the top rind and dip in.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 26 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 32 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does camembert baked in its box take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of garlic clove?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of crisp apples?
- Pears, same amount.
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