📝 About This Recipe
Transport yourself to the rolling hills of Normandy with this decadent, molten masterpiece that proves low-carb dining can be truly indulgent. This dish features a premium wheel of Camembert, scored and stuffed with aromatic aromatics, then baked until it reaches a perfect, gooey consistency. It is a sophisticated, vegetarian-friendly appetizer that balances the earthy richness of the cheese with the bright, woody notes of fresh rosemary and thyme.
🥗 Ingredients
The Cheese
- 250 grams Camembert Cheese (one whole wheel in a wooden box, high quality)
Aromatics and Infusion
- 2 cloves Garlic (peeled and thinly sliced into slivers)
- 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary (broken into small tufts)
- 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme (leaves stripped from stems)
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil (cold-pressed for best flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Dry White Wine (optional, keto-friendly like Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (for a subtle hint of heat)
- 1 pinch Flaky Sea Salt (Maldon or similar)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly cracked)
Low-Carb Dippers
- 3 pieces Celery Stalks (cut into batons)
- 1/2 large Cucumber (sliced into thick rounds)
- 1/2 cup Walnut Halves (toasted)
- 6 pieces Radishes (halved)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a small baking sheet or a specialized ceramic camembert baker.
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2
Remove the Camembert from its plastic packaging and place it back into its wooden box base. If the box is stapled, it's oven-safe; if glued, wrap the bottom in foil.
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3
Using a sharp paring knife, gently score the top rind of the cheese in a crosshatch pattern, cutting about half an inch deep.
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4
Carefully insert the slivers of garlic into the slits you've created, ensuring they are tucked into the cheese.
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5
Poke small tufts of fresh rosemary and thyme leaves into the slits alongside the garlic.
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6
Drizzle the tablespoon of olive oil and the optional teaspoon of white wine over the top, letting it seep into the cuts.
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7
Sprinkle the red pepper flakes, freshly cracked black pepper, and a pinch of flaky sea salt over the surface.
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8
Place the cheese box on a baking tray and bake in the center of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
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9
Check the cheese at the 15-minute mark; the center should feel very soft and liquid when pressed lightly, and the top should be slightly golden.
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10
While the cheese bakes, arrange your keto-friendly dippers (celery, cucumber, radishes, and walnuts) on a serving platter.
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11
Remove the cheese from the oven and let it rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the temperature to stabilize slightly.
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12
Place the warm box directly onto the serving platter and serve immediately while the center is molten.
💡 Chef's Tips
Choose a Camembert that comes in a wooden box as it acts as a natural baking dish. If you don't have a wooden box, wrap the sides of the cheese wheel in parchment paper and then foil to prevent it from spreading too thin. Don't overbake; if the cheese gets too hot, the fats can separate and become oily. For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the walnuts in a pan for 3 minutes before serving. If the garlic is too pungent for you, blanch the slivers in boiling water for 1 minute before inserting them into the cheese.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp, chilled glass of Dry Chardonnay or a sparkling mineral water with lemon. Serve alongside a bowl of salty Kalamata olives to contrast the creamy cheese. Add a few slices of keto-friendly almond flour crackers for extra crunch. A side of arugula tossed in lemon juice provides a peppery freshness that cuts through the richness.