Festive Stuffed Brie de Meaux

Brie is one of France’s best-known cheeses, but have you heard of Brie de Meaux PDO? This protected French cheese has a long history and a distinctive character. Made from raw cow’s milk in the Meaux region of Île-de-France, it has a soft, creamy texture and delicate, buttery flavour that becomes more pronounced as it matures. Its PDO status guarantees that the cheese is made according to specific production methods and within a designated geographical area.

At Christmas, the cheese course is an important part of the traditional French festive meal, and Brie is often given a seasonal twist. You can find prepared stuffed cheeses at the cheesemonger, but making stuffed Brie at home is much easier than you might think. In our recipe, Brie de Meaux is filled with mascarpone, dried figs and apricots, toasted hazelnuts and French walnuts, creating a delicious combination of creamy, fruity and nutty flavours. For a more festive variation, replace the nuts with finely chopped Périgord black truffle to make the much-loved brie aux truffes, or experiment with other seasonal ingredients such as fresh herbs, porcini mushrooms, French chestnuts or dried cranberries.