<\/p>\n
These Chocolate Strawberry Verrines are splendor in a glass.<\/p>\n
If you’re looking for a fun, hip dessert, look no further. The cookie crumbs, chocolate ganache, strawberries and meringue unite to create this fanciful dessert.<\/p>\n
Fresh and fun, they will brighten your table and delight your family and friends.<\/p>\n
Whether you call them verrines or dessert shooters, these gorgeous little treats will be a hit for Valentine’s Day or any celebration. You can even adapt your favorite desserts to create your own special verrines.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The word verrine comes from verre, French for “glass”.<\/p>\n
This popular food trend originated in France by chef and pastry chef Philippe Conticini in 1994.<\/p>\n
Verrines are appetizers or desserts consisting of a number of components layered artfully in a small glass. The transparency allows you to see each colorful layer.<\/p>\n
This relatively new creation has been trendy in America for the past decade and has made a tremendous impact on patisseries around the world.<\/p>\n
Being in the pastry field, I am always trying to stay ahead of the trends by reading and studying with great pastry chefs from around the world every chance I get.<\/p>\n
I had the privilege of taking many classes from St\u00e9phane Glacier, an MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France P\u00e2tissier). He co-authored a beautiful book titled Verrines et Petits-G\u00e2teaux<\/em>. For a quick explanation of Chef St\u00e9phane’s MOF title, MOF competition is held in France every four years. The final competition is narrowed down to 16 French pastry chefs. The blue, white and red striped collar worn on the jackets of the winners is more than the ultimate lifetime recognition for every pastry chef – it is a dream and an obsession.<\/p>\n My First Verrines<\/strong><\/p>\n At the 2006 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival’s, Party for the Senses, I did a trio of desserts called, “Les Verrines”, showcasing France’s Valrhona Chocolate. It was lots of fun as always and was at the onset here in the U.S. of the mini desserts we call verrines.<\/p>\n The Trend in American Restaurants Started with Seasons 52<\/strong><\/p>\n Seasons 52, a restaurant chain in the Darden family, focuses on seasonally inspired menus featuring ingredients at their peak of freshness. Founding chef, Clifford Pleau was responsible for putting Mini Indulgences<\/em> on the menu. This started the mini dessert craze in the restaurant industry.<\/p>\n You may have had Applebee’s Dessert Shooters<\/em>, Olive Garden’s Dolcini’s<\/em> or the mini desserts at P.F. Chang’s. There are so many more restaurants, fast food locations and coffee shops offering these petit sweet treats.<\/p>\n No doubt we’re glad these mini desserts are around. They have a lot going for them. Besides being more affordable, they promote portion control and help prevent overindulgence after a filling meal. Furthermore, they allow guests to satisfy their cravings for something sweet.<\/p>\n Verrine glasses are available online through Amazon and other companies. JB Prince<\/a> has a wide variety of glasses, including disposables, which are perfect for potlucks. Here are some examples of verrine glasses.<\/p>\n