Skip to main content

Blueberry – Acai & Pineapple Verrines

This is not only a tasty and refreshing spring dessert but a very healthy one to boot. I am going to let you in on a little habit of mine: I drink acai juice everyday….what is it? It is the juice from the acai berry, a palm fruit, originally used by the tribes of the Amazon. The fruit contains great health properties and the juice is actually quite tasty once you get acclimated to a little grassy palate.
I started drinking it when I was told to increase my levels of vitamin Bs and essential fatty acids. I hate taking pills, I almost always choke or gag and frankly I could do without all the coating additives around them…plus 1/2 cup of juice a day beats a handful of pills. I have grown to like the taste and have been trying to get B. to drink some in the morning but the man is like a tornado throughout the house..always on the go..until we both crash (yes, it is exhausting watching him!).

I figured I would try to sneak it in desserts to make sure he would enjoy the same benefits, so I came up with these "verrines" or "dessert in a glass". The blueberries have a strong enough flavor to mellow the acai juice taste if you have a reluctant tester or a picky eater, and the crushed up macaron on top, well, it’s just like the cherry on the cake!

Blueberry – Acai and Pineapple Verrines:

Serves 4

2 cups of fresh pureed or diced pineapple
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/3 cup acai juice
1/2 cup sugar

For the blueberry-acai layer:
In a saucepan, heat the blueberries,ginger, cinammon, lemon zest with 1/4 cup sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the blueberries start to break down and get juicy. Remove from heat, stir in the gelatin until dissolved. Add the acai juice. Let cool and divide among glasses. Refrigerate until slightly thickened.

For the pinneapple:
In a saucepan, heat the pureed pineapple with the remaining 1/4 sugar. When hot, remove from heat and stir in the gelatin until dissolved. Let cool and pour over the bluberry-acai layer.

To finish: crush up a few macarons, meringues or cookies on top of each glass and serve.

Related Posts

Similar Articles


Comments


Nora B. May 11, 2007 um 11:32 pm

Even I would have some acai if it was served to me in that way 🙂


MyKitchenInHalfCups May 11, 2007 um 11:45 pm

Probably sneak a lot of "medicine" past an unsuspecting someone in that glass!
Truly, that is beautiful. Oddly enough I don’t think I’ve thought to put blueberries with pineapple but as soon as I see it I know I want it! They are made for each other.


Meeta K. Wolff May 12, 2007 um 8:00 am

Medicine in a glass like this – if all types of medicine were this sweet. LOL! A very interesting combination and certainly one that I need to try.


Anonymous May 12, 2007 um 3:22 pm

I’ve learned something new…I doubt I will be finding Acai at the piggley wiggley.
But now those banana foster tarts are on my list!


Kelly-Jane May 12, 2007 um 6:25 pm

That sounds healthy and delicious. I’ve never heard of the beries, but will have to see if I can get some. I take vit B supplament, but juice would be much better!

I got David Lebovitz’s ice cream book yesterday – looks lovely!


Anonymous May 12, 2007 um 7:08 pm

Je viens enfin de m’abonner à ton blog via le flux rss, comme cela je ne raterai plus aucune de tes recettes !! J’ai adoré la tartelette à la bananne, quant à la blueberry verrine, miam !!


Anonymous May 12, 2007 um 8:08 pm

So pretty, Helene! And you know I saw acai at the health food store for the first time a few months ago. I’d read about it in a cookbook and now that I know you like it, I must try it!


Anonymous May 13, 2007 um 5:29 am

Simply gorgeous! What a way to combine nutritious goodness with sweet decadence 😉


Lis May 13, 2007 um 8:10 am

Although I’ve never heard of Acai, I’d be more than happy to give it a shot in this kind of dessert! I love the combo of blueberries and pineapple too.. Mmmmmm =)

Beautiful!! I wanna make some!!

xoxox


Brilynn May 13, 2007 um 9:01 pm

I’ve never had acai on its own, but Booster Juice makes the most wonderful smoothie with it. Your verrine looks wonderful as always.


Anonymous January 7, 2008 um 4:28 am

Are you looking for a way to a great way to get acai into your diet and pocketbook?


Write a Comment