"Could You Please Pass the Jelly?"

Do you remember the Polaner All Fruit commercial? I'm dating myself here, as the YouTube video clip of this is from 1989...and yep, that still counts as the '80s.

In it, a sophisticated dinner party politely asks for and passes around the "all fruit" (referred to by name) until one seemingly Southern (read: redneck) gentleman exclaims "Would you please pass the jelly?" while the other guests bemoan his uncouthness.

Oh, here - just watch it.



Yep...he called it jelly.


In the words of our goofy commercial guest, "What in tarnation does this have to do with entertainin'?" Lots, if you're ready to see how jellies and preserves can step up your appetizer platters.

My favorite pairing for preserves is brie cheese. If you haven't yet experimented with brie, don't be afraid, and do it now. Brie is a soft cow's cheese named after the French region it is thought to be originated from. Because it's mild, it pairs exceptionally well with a sweet accompaniment like preserves.

Here, brie is paired with fig preserves. Cured meats, grilled pita bread,
grapes and fresh dates add to this perfect pre-brunch platter.

If you're in a hurry, the preserves can stand alone when paired with assorted cheeses, crackers and nibbles. But, if you have a little more time - say, 15 minutes - you can make a fabulous appetizer that comes off high-end without the fuss.

I made this baked brie app for an early Easter dinner and it quickly became the favorite. The recipe is so easy I can't even pretend to put it into recipe format, so here it goes.

Baked brie, pre-bake...

1. Take one roll of refrigerated crescent roll dough (I use Pilsbury).
2. Unroll half of the dough onto a baking sheet.
3. Place a small wheel of brie in the middle (Look for a small wheel of Brie President cheese in the specialty cheese section of your grocer).
4. Top with 1/4 - 1/3 cup of preserves (I like Smucker's Three Berry preserves from their Orchard's Finest line).
5. Lift the dough up and wrap it around the cheese, securing at the top with the extra remaining dough as needed.
6. Bake the crescent dough as directed (usually at 350 for 12 minutes).

...and out of the oven.

The dough browns, the cheese melts and the preserves go gooey to give this a sweet touch. Be sure to serve with crackers.

Now, who says jelly ain't sophisticated?