On a recent Friday evening, I got together with two friends for a girls’ night in. We gathered around pizza, Grilled Brie with Cherry Salsa, and homemade desserts, and sat at the table for hours.
We caught up a little and then it got a bit more personal. We shared some hopes and a few not-yet-fulfilled dreams. The desires that we’re waiting on and praying over. A few hurts. The turmoil of living in a broken world.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom—we laughed, too. And as we left, we agreed that it was a much-needed evening. We even emailed and texted the next day still talking about how much we enjoyed getting together to share our lives over a meal.
It was a small gathering, but the size didn’t actually matter. What mattered was the friendships that are forming and the lives that are being shared.
Getting together with other women always shifts my perspective. It’s so easy to feel alone and isolated, but when we encounter someone who says, “me too” or “I’ve been there”, it’s so comforting to know that other people can relate. They may not have it figured out, but that’s not what matters. What matters is not feeling so alone! And even if friends can’t relate, it’s nice just to have a listening ear.
So ladies, gather your friends! Go out to dinner, or invite everyone over. Make a few appetizers or order takeout. Get together with the purpose of connecting over a meal. Think of your friends but also others who you don’t know very well. You never know who you might bless by inviting them to the gathering.
One more suggestion for you—make this Grilled Brie with Cherry Salsa! The three of us nearly devoured it that evening.
It starts off with a homemade cherry salsa. I used a cherry pitter
(highly recommended) for pitting the cherries before dicing them into small pieces. I diced half of a red onion and a jalapeño, added them to the cherries, then topped it off with lime juice and a pinch of salt.
Grilling brie is a simple process. First, start with a wheel of brie. You want a whole wheel that’s fully enclosed with a rind (not just a wedge as that’ll melt into the grill). I brushed the wheel with olive oil before grilling it on both sides for 2 minutes. The trickiest part is turning the brie with a spatula, and it’s honestly not that complicated. Use a large spatula with a long handle and flip it gently, being careful not to puncture the rind.
Then gently transfer it to a serving platter, top with the cherry salsa, and serve! I thought it was delicious with an assortment of crackers (I love the “entertaining crackers” that come with a few varieties in the box). I get them at either Aldi or Trader Joe’s. Apple slices would be delicious for scooping it up, too. Gluten free crackers are a thoughtful addition for gluten free guests. I added a few more whole cherries and fresh strawberries to the platter for color, too.
If you love brie, don’t miss my recipes for Chocolate Covered Brie and Salted Caramel Brie en Croute!
Female readers, when is the last time you had a girls’ night? What did you do and what did you serve? I’d love to know in the comments below. Guys—have you ever had a guys’ night? My husband actually loves planning these. They usually center around football games. 🙂
Grilled Brie with Cherry Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh bing cherries pitted and diced
- ½ small red onion finely diced
- 1 jalapeño seeds removed and finely diced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 14 oz wheel of brie cheese
- olive oil for brushing
- For garnish: fresh mint
- To serve: crackers
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium heat. Place the diced cherries, diced onion, diced jalapeño, lime juice, and pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir gently to combine. Brush the brie gently with olive oil. Place the brie on the grill and close the lid. Grill for 2 minutes. Carefully flip the brie with a long handled spatula and grill for 2 minutes more. Place the grilled brie on a serving platter and top with the cherry salsa. Garnish with fresh mint. Serve immediately with crackers and fruit.
- Place the diced cherries, diced onion, diced jalapeño, lime juice, and pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir gently to combine.
- Brush the brie gently with olive oil. Place the brie on the grill and close the lid. Grill for 2 minutes.
- Carefully flip the brie with a long handled spatula and grill for 2 minutes more.
- Place the grilled brie on a serving platter and top with the cherry salsa. Garnish with fresh mint. Serve immediately with crackers.
Notes
Nutrition
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