Pomegranate and Brie, Almost, and Christmas Bunco

I have played Bunco for a very long time, and for our Christmas Bunco, everybody brings an appetizer and gift to pass.  For those of you , who don't know what Bunco is, it's a dice game where you can play the game, eat, and talk, all a the the same time. it's a lot of fun.  Anyway, I wanted to make a recipe with pomegranate, because I had seen so many recipes on Foodbuzz.. Do you see any pomegranate in the picture? No, that's because when I cut opened the pomeganate, which I had bought, it was bad. This was the first ever pomegranate, that I had ever bought.  Needless to say I was disappointed..  I had even watched a video on how to peel a pomegranate. Now, when life gives you lemons, you make cranberry sauce.  Luckily I had an extra bag in the fridge.

The appetizer I ended up making was layers of  brie whipped with whipping cream, and home made cranberry sauce and walnuts, topped with more brie You have creamy brie, tart/sweet cranberry sauce,and the crunch of the walnuts, all in one bite. I know that you can't see all of the layers in the bowl, but I didn't have a smaller bowl with straight sides. This is a very simple, but beautiful recipe, and would beautiful on any holiday table.  I still want try this with a pomegranate, so wish me luck:)

INGREDIENTS

12 oz bag of fresh cranberries

1 c. sugar

1c. water or orange juice

orange zest

8 oz, of Brie, white rind removed

1/3 c. whipping cream

1/2-3/4 c chopped walnuts

Combine the sugar and water or orange juice, and zest, in a large sauce pan, and bring to boil over medium heat. Add cranberries and boil until they are done "popping".  Remove from heat and cool.  The sauce thickens as it cools. Refrigerate until cool and thickened.  You could even make the day ahead..

Put brie in bowl of stand mixer and whip till smooth, about  1 minute.  Add in whipping cream, and whip for about 5 minutes, until mousse consistency.  Layer brie in bowl with cranberry sauce and walnuts.  Serve with crackers or bread toasts.  Enjoy!