Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Now that we have a Trader Joes nearby, I am going to make mini brie in croute with the little mini bries they sell 5 to a bag. I am having a party on Saturday, and due to various reasons I am way, way behind on prep.

How long can I refrigerate thawed puff pastry? I would like to by the brie tonight, and if possible, I would thaw it and wrap the bries when I get home and refrigerate until Saturday. Is that too long to leave it refrigerated?

Thanks,

--Lisa

Since brie can be wrapped while the oven preheats, I have never thought about the implications of making it ahead.

I doubt that there would be a food safety issue, but five days in the arid climate of a refrigerator is tough duty for laminated dough unless it is very tightly wrapped. Quality may suffer some as the moisture difference between the dough and cheese equalizes. I will vote yes, it is too long to leave it refrigerated.

I'll probably put it off a couple of days and maybe wrap them Thursday night (and bake Saturday). I am serving 25 or so appetizers this year, and some absolutely won't survive extended refrigeration and will be done Saturday. Normally I am much more ahead at this point than I am this year. <sigh>

Thanks,

--Lisa

You can wrap the cheese and then freeze the whole package. Just brush with egg wash and bake from frozen. We keep a couple of these on hand for catering pop-up orders.

Really? I didn't think the cheese would freeze well. If that is the case I might do so. The freezer is kind of jammed at the moment though. Might be a nice snack to keep in the house anyway if I can freeze ahead.

Thank you!

Since the cheese gets soft and melty, maintaining its texture is less serious.

Some brands actually sell wrapped brie in frozen form.