Bouchée

A French term that refers to a bite-sized portion or simply translated as mouthful of food. The Bouchée may be served in a small oval-shaped pastry shell such as a choux pastry or as an individual serving of food presented in a small dish, bowl or plate. The food item served as a Bouchée may be presented as an appetizer or an individual serving prior to the entree. It is commonly made as a small pastry filled with ingredients such as meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish mixed with a savory sauce. When served as a dessert, the ingredients may be made with cream or pudding fillings mixed with other types of sweet flavored foods. A similar French food item served with meat or vegetables in a light-textured puff pastry shell is a vol au vent made with a choux pastry dough.