Definition

Noun: A small, bite-sized pastry shell made from puff paste (puff pastry), typically filled with a savory mixture.

Usage

A "bouchee" is a single, small, pre-baked pastry case. It is designed to be filled with ingredients like creamed meat, seafood, or vegetables and served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre. The word is often used in a culinary context.

Examples

• The caterer prepared bouchees filled with mushroom duxelles for the reception.
• A classic bouchee is the , filled with a creamy chicken mixture.
• For the party, we will serve miniature bouchees with various fillings.

Advanced Usage

• "Bouchee à la reine": A specific classic preparation where the puff pastry shell is filled with a rich, creamy chicken (or sometimes sweetbread) mixture.
  • The menu featured bouchee à la reine as the first course.

Variants and Related Words

• Vol-au-vent (noun): A larger version of a puff pastry shell, typically meant for a main course portion, whereas a is a single, small bite.
  • He served the seafood in a large vol-au-vent.

Synonyms

• Puff pastry shell
• Pastry case (when referring to the empty shell)

Notes on Meaning

The term "bouchee" comes from the French word for "mouthful," directly indicating its small, one-bite size. Its primary and almost exclusive meaning in English is culinary, referring to this specific type of pastry item.

Noun

1. shell of puff paste