JULIE WELLS: Cranberry Brie bites make lovely, tasteful dish for Thanksgiving

I’m still trying to decide what I should make for Thanksgiving dinner. Let me clarify that last statement. I’m not making or hosting the big event this year; our family usually celebrates at my sister-in-law’s house in Macon.

My mother-in-law usually makes the important stuff like turkey and dressing. I usually get off really easy, having to make just a dessert or nothing at all for Thanksgiving.

The in-laws always just say, “Bring that sweet baby Joy,” who, by the way, is two and half years old now. I wonder how long I’ll get to just bring the baby? I’m just teasing. It is hard to compete with all of the great cooks in my family though.

But I figured this year, I might actually have the whole mom thing down so well that I could at get the kid, husband and myself ready and out the door, and bring something scrumptious.

So, whether you are still making a Thanksgiving menu or finalizing it, let me help out with one more delicious dish — cranberry Brie bites. Is your mouth watering yet?

I had to do some research on Brie cheese. I’d never had it before. It can be a little pricey, but it is OK to splurge for the holiday meals, right?

Despite this dish tasting like you’ve slaved day and night in the kitchen, it is incredibly simple to put together and it has the extra appeal of being a pretty dish, too. Once you’ve cut puff pastry into squares, stuffed them into muffin tins, and filled them with Brie and cranberry sauce, the finished product looks like little flowers. It’s too cute for words, honestly. Maybe this dish will get someone to eat cranberry sauce who wouldn’t normally otherwise touch it.

I think this dish is great for a beginner cook, and one that will simply impress your family and friends for Thanksgiving.

One last thing, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly thankful for all of my readers week after week. I know we run come crazy recipes sometimes, but nonetheless, I’m grateful you take the time to read this column week after week.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Julie Wells writes her weekly The Recipe Box column for the Rockdale Citizen.

Cranberry Brie Bites

What you need …

One package of frozen puff pastry

One can of cranberry sauce