Brie, Camembert and Mont d’Or: 21 comforting recipes to replace raclette this winter

As the cold weather sets in, the table calls for warmth and simplicity. That’s why we’ve come up with cheese recipes that don’t just involve raclette. We feature Brie, Camembert and Mont d’Or, with easy-to-follow instructions.

Why go beyond raclette this winter

Variety stimulates the appetite, and the budget follows. With shareable formats, you can make the most of every piece of Brie. In this way, cheese recipes gain in freshness, without heaviness.

Mont d’Or is back in season from September to May. Its spruce box is easy to put in the oven. What’s more, its washed rind adds a woodsy fragrance, ideal for convivial cheese recipes.

Melt-in-the-mouth Brie for sandwiches, quiches and croques

Brie loves sweet and sour, and it shows it everywhere. With chutney or onion confit, it shines in quiche or on toast. Go to 15 minutes at 200°C, you’ll have a runny center.

“A well-chosen cheese is enough to change a meal.”

On a croque, these cheesy recipes are enhanced by brie. Add a thinly sliced pear, then toast on the buttered side. In this way, the sweet-savory contrast remains crisp and melt-in-the-mouth.

For a quiche, measure the mixture of eggs and cream. Keep to a simple ratio: 3 eggs to 20 cl of cream. On the other hand, don’t overload the filling.

• Always preheat the oven for even melting.
• Add little salt: the cheese already contains salt.
• Add acidity: pickles, citrus fruit or sweet vinegar.
• Contrast textures with toasted dried fruit.
• Serve hot, but leave to stand for two minutes.

Oven-baked Camembert: a bowl of flavour without the fuss

Slice the crust of the Camembert in crosswise fashion. Add garlic, thyme and a dash of cider. In 15 minutes at 180°C, you’ll have a ready-to-dip cream.

Serve as a bowl with roasted vegetables. Carrots, parsnips and turnips love the heat of the oven. Rye bread also absorbs juices better.

For safety, remove the paper wrapping before baking. Keep the wooden box if it is stapled, not glued. As a result, the cheese retains its shape.

Spooning Mont d’Or: an end-of-day ritual

Mont d’Or is best enjoyed warm, almost by the spoonful. These cheese recipes take advantage of its elastic texture. In addition, a touch of white wine enhances its woodiness.

Place a clove of garlic in the center, then pour in a dash of Jura wine. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then serve with steamed potatoes and pickles.

Anti-waste tips, budget and nutrition

Grate leftovers for quick and easy cheese recipes. Add to soups, gratins or crêpes. That way, nothing goes to waste at the end of the week.

For balance, choose one vegetable per plate. A bitter salad soothes the richness of raw milk. In short, you prolong the pleasure without the heaviness.

On the cost side, alternate between PDO and cooperative cheeses. The taste changes, and the budget breathes. From now on, you can vary your evenings without giving up the melt-in-your-mouth taste of cheese recipes.

• cheese recipes