"verrine" news and stories

Mango and coconut verrine. Photo: Anitachu, Flickr.

It's a lovely thing to spy a gorgeous photo on Flickr, but even more lovely to realize its creator is a trained baker ... and that her recipe is available to mere mortals.

This layered verrine (from the French "verre," or glass) may look like the work of a prop stylist -- probably tasteless, intended to tempt hapless foodies -- but it is in fact a coconut and mango purée concoction from the prolific Bay Area blogger behind Dessert First. Not smitten yet? That's a chocolate wafer cookie straw. We thought so.

We adore this photo for its Care Bears like innocence (note the espresso cup with hearts) and the dreamy powdered sugar gracing those spare raspberries. Berry season being as fleeting as it is glorious, we appreciate as many reminders to take advantage of it as nature -- and the food blogosphere -- sends our way.

[Via Flickr]

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Veritable artistry in something we're not quite with familiar with: verrine. What is it? A verrine is a French import, something like a terrine, with layers of ingredients in a small glass that is either an appetizer or a dessert, and is becoming increasingly popular with chefs on this side of the Atlantic.

Speaking of imports, what's not to love about the life of a wine importer?

In the kitchen, get your rolling pins out for the perfect pie crust you can trust. Also, a recipe for slow-roasted roasted pork shoulder and a few breads.

SIV visits Vertical, a new wine bistro in Pasadena and gives it one star (*).