Melted Brie with basil and lemon pesto
Melted Brie with basil and lemon pesto is a warm starter in which a whole wheel of Brie gently melts under a vibrant homemade pesto of fresh basil, lemon zest and juice, Parmesan and roasted pine nuts. The Thermomix grinds, chops and blends the pesto to a silky consistency in minutes, then heats the cheese to a lusciously gooey texture.
About this recipe
Melted Brie with basil and lemon pesto on the Thermomix TM7 is one of those recipes that turns a handful of fresh ingredients into an impressive warm starter with almost no effort. Searching for easy pesto recipes or quick entertaining ideas for your all-in-one kitchen machine will lead you straight here: a whole wheel of Brie, warmed until irresistibly gooey, topped with a vibrant green pesto blitzed from fresh basil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, Parmesan and roasted pine nuts. The TM7 handles every step in a single bowl, from grinding the pine nuts to blending the olive oil into a silky, emulsified sauce, so there is minimal washing up afterwards. The citrus lifts the richness of the melted cheese beautifully, making it far fresher than a classic baked Brie. Serve it as a sharing starter at a dinner party or as a indulgent weekend snack with crusty bread, breadsticks or crudités for dipping.
Preparation tips
- Take the Brie out of the fridge about half an hour before warming so the centre melts evenly and the cheese becomes wonderfully gooey without the edges turning rubbery on the outside.
- Grate the Parmesan freshly from a wedge rather than using pre-grated cheese, as it emulsifies far better with the olive oil and gives the basil pesto a creamier, more cohesive texture.
- Scatter the roasted pine nuts and a few torn basil leaves over the melted Brie just before serving so they keep their crunch, and offer breadsticks, crusty bread or crudités alongside for dipping.
Recipe variations
- For a lactose-lighter version, replace the Brie with a soft goat cheese and swap the Parmesan for a mature lactose-free hard cheese; the lemon basil pesto stays exactly the same and the fresh citrus still balances the richness beautifully.
- For a festive winter variation, add a spoonful of cranberry compote over the melted Brie and replace half the basil with flat-leaf parsley, giving the pesto a seasonal twist that pairs wonderfully with a glass of sparkling wine.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Precision grinding - The Thermomix grinds the roasted pine nuts evenly for a pesto with a consistently nutty, coarse texture. [grinding]. [Precision Control]
- Fine chopping - The TM7 chops the garlic cloves and basil in seconds without bruising the delicate green leaves. [chopping]. [Multi-Function]
- Silky blending - The Thermomix mixes olive oil and Parmesan into an emulsified pesto with a glossy, restaurant-style finish. [mixing]. [Multi-Function]
- Gentle heating - Precise temperature control of the TM7 warms the Brie until molten without splitting the creamy centre. [heating]. [Precision Control]
- Built-in scale - Weigh the lemon juice and sea salt directly in the mixing bowl of the Thermomix for perfectly balanced seasoning. [weighing]. [Built-in Scale]
Ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil
- lemon
- Parmesan cheese
- garlic cloves
- lemon juice
- roasted pine nuts
- fresh basil
- sea salt
- water
- Brie cheese