With the all the frenzy around sea greens, we thought this seaweed baked Brie with phyllo crackers and balsamic glaze is the perfect way to try it out!

SERVES 4–6 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 50 min

INGREDIENTS
For the baked Brie
2 seaweed sheets
¼ cup oil
1 wheel Brie
For the crackers
4 phyllo sheets
¼ cup butter, melted
For the balsamic glaze
2 cups balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp honey

METHOD
For the baked Brie
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Lay the seaweed sheets in oil for 1 hour until they are more pliable. Fold them into a triangle by bringing two corners together and pressing down.
3. In an ovenproof ramekin the size of the cheese, press one triangle of seaweed into the ramekin and the other in the opposite direction. Place the Brie inside. Bake for 20–30 minutes.
For the crackers
1. Grease a baking tray.
2. Brush each sheet of phyllo with butter, then place on top of each other. Cut into 15 × 4 cm rectangles.
3. Bake for 10–15 minutes until crispy.
For the balsamic glaze
1. Bring the vinegar and honey to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer.
2. Cook until thickened and syrupy, about 15 minutes. The glaze will thicken as it cools.
3. Serve with baked Brie and crackers.

Recipe & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za

The post Seaweed baked Brie with phyllo crackers and balsamic glaze appeared first on MyKitchen.

There’s nothing more exciting than the moment you and a loved one get to pull apart Christmas crackers and discover all the fun goodies inside! But why buy store crackers, which only give you a few sweets and a toy, when you can create your own custom DIY Christmas crackers filled with all your favourites?

By Taryn Wilson

WHAT YOU NEED

– Toilet rolls
– Sellotape
– Wrapping paper, cut into A4 pieces (the more festive the merrier!)
– Ribbon of your choice
– Cracker snaps (available from merrypak.co.za)
– Fillings of your choice

HOW TO DO IT

1. Place a toilet roll in the centre of one of your A4 pieces of wrapping paper, and use sellotape to keep it in place on the paper.
2. Put a cracker snap through the toilet roll, and tape it down on one side of the paper.
3. Roll the wrapping paper around the toilet roll lengthways, leaving the sides long.
4. Twist one side of the paper so that it is pinched by the end of the toilet roll, and tie it with ribbon.
5. Place all of your fillings inside the open section of the paper and toilet roll.
6. Repeat step 4 on the open side.

These are the perfect festive gifts for Christmas celebrations.

Image: blog.hobbycraft.co.uk

The post Make your own DIY Christmas crackers this year! appeared first on MyKitchen.