A verrine is simply a layered dessert, or sometimes an appetiser, served in a small, usually straight-sided glass. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but for puds something fruity, something crunchy and something creamy usually works.
I’ve used quince here but an apple compote would be good, too, in which case use a sharp cooking apple sweetened to taste. Maple and pecan granola is readily available in the shops, but crumbled Amaretti or ginger biscuits are decent alternatives.
Use the thickest Greek yoghurt you can get your hands on and layer it all up just before you want to eat. So easy but so good. Quantities depend on the size of your glasses, what follows is a rough guide.
Quince, Maple and Pecan Verrine
Ingredients:
1 large quince
A squeeze of lemon juice
1 heaped tbsp golden caster sugar + more to taste
A splash of water
About 4 tbsp maple and pecan granola
About 4 tbsp thick Greek yoghurt
About 4 tbsp maple syrup, or to taste
A few pecan nuts, to garnish
Method:
Wash any fluff off the quince then peel, quarter and core and cut into thin slices. Place in a pan with 2 or 3 tablespoons of water, the lemon juice and sugar. Put on a lid and cook on a low to medium heat until the fruit has broken down, stirring occasionally. Watch it doesn’t catch.
You are aiming for a thick compote with the texture of apple sauce, so towards the end, beat it with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth purée. Once done, check for sweetness and add more sugar, to taste. Scrape into a bowl, cool, cover and refrigerate.
Whisk the maple syrup into the yoghurt and chill until needed.
When you’re ready to eat, spoon some of the quince compote into two small glasses, trying to keep it level. Add an even layer of granola then one of yoghurt. Top with a few pecan halves and serve.
That looks so elegant… one of our five-a-day too!
Thanks, Jen. Health and fitness. 😀
MmmMmmMmmmmh~! Hubby and I raided his grandma’s quince tree last weekend, gearing up to spend this weekend in the kitchen with 6 different quincey yummies on our to-do list. That list contains 7 items now 😀 This will be our dessert on Sunday, I think~
Thanks, lovely, glad you like it. Aren’t quinces fabulous?
My kind of dessert. I just made some pear compote and will plan to make a “nut free” version of this soon. I love your image of the quinces and verrines.
Thanks so much, Ron. Enjoy your pear verrines! (They’d be lovely with something gingery if that’s your cup of tea…) Lx