Frozen Poppyseed Parfait Food

FRESH FRUIT PARFAIT WITH LEMON-POPPY SEED YOGURT

Steps:

• In a medium bowl place cut fruit, blueberries, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon sugar. Mix well and macerate for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow fruit to be infused with lemon juice and sugar. Meanwhile in a small bowl stir 2 cups of lowfat yogurt and poppy seeds. In clear glasses, layer the ingredients starting with the fruit mixture then next layer with yogurt, then fruit, then yogurt. Repeat these steps until you have filled the glasses. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

YOGURT AND FRUIT PARFAITS

Steps:

• Layer 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt into the bottom each of 4 tall glasses. Combine defrosted strawberries and juice with fresh berries. Alternate layers of fruit and granola with yogurt until glasses are filled to the top. Serve parfaits immediately to keep granola crunchy.

FROZEN CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT PARFAIT

Steps:

• Line bottom and sides of an 8 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with parchment or waxed paper. Melt gianduia in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool chocolate. Whisk together yolks, sugar, liqueur, and vanilla in another metal bowl until blended. Set over pan of simmering water and whisk until yolks are pale yellow, thick and form a ribbon when whisk is lifted. Remove from heat and fold in gianduia and nuts. Cool to lukewarm. Beat cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold 1/4 of whipped cream into gianduia mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining cream gently but thoroughly. Spoon into pan, smoothing top, and put a piece of parchment or waxed paper on surface. Wrap well in plastic wrap and freeze at least 8 hours. To serve, unwrap pan and invert parfait onto a platter, discarding paper. Slice with hot, wet knife and serve with sauces and berries.;
• Merlot, L'Ecole No. 41, Columbia Valley, 1996
• Fume Blanc, The Hogue Cellars, Columbia Valley, 1998
• Merlot, Columbia Crest, Columbia Valley, 1997
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, 1997
• Late Harvest White Riesling (reserve), Chateau Ste Michelle, 1996 (375ml-dessert)

FRESH FRUIT PARFAIT WITH LEMON-POPPY SEED YOGURT

Steps:

• In a medium bowl place cut fruit, blueberries, lemon juice and 1 tbsp sugar. Mix well and macerate for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow the fruit to be infused with lemon juice and sugar.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl stir 2 cups of lowfat yogurt and poppy seeds.
• In clear glasses (wine glasses make an excellent choice) layer the ingredients starting with the fruit mixture, then the yogurt. Repeat until full. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

FROZEN BANANA & PRALINE PARFAIT

Steps:

• To make the praline, put the sugar into a heavy-based pan with 3 tbsp water. Place over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and is clear. Don't stir, or it will crystallise. Increase the heat and bubble to a dark caramel (see video technique), about 5 mins. Remove from the heat, stir through the nuts, then tip onto a lightly greased non-stick baking tray. Spread to level and leave to cool. Be careful as the tray will get very hot.
• When the praline is cold and brittle, break it into pieces. Then, using the end of a rolling pin, smash it up until fairly well crushed. If this is proving hard work, tip into a food processor and pulse until it's the texture of coarse breadcrumbs.
• Line a 1.2-litre loaf tin with a strip of baking parchment (this size tin gives a neat shape, but you can set the parfait in any shaped tin, or individual pudding basins or ramekins). In a bowl, mash the bananas with half the lemon juice until you have a rough purée, then set aside.
• Put the cream into a bowl and whip until it holds its shape but is still a little soft. In another very clean bowl and using a very clean electric whisk, beat the egg whites with a squeeze more lemon juice until stiff. Slowly add the sugar until you have a stiff, shiny meringue.
• Gently fold the whipped cream and meringue together, then add the banana and most of the praline, leaving about 4 tbsp to serve. Spoon into the loaf tin, smooth the top and freeze until firm, preferably overnight.
• To serve, remove the parfait from the freezer 10 mins before serving and leave in the fridge to soften slightly. Meanwhile, slice the bananas on a slant, allowing 3 slices for each serving. Lay the slices on a baking tray set on a wooden board and scatter heavily with the sugar. Use a blowtorch to caramelise the banana, then set aside. Be very careful as the tray will be extremely hot. If you don't have a blowtorch, place the slices into a hot, dry frying pan and sear the sugar-coated sides until caramelised. Lift and flip them over to a tray.
• To plate up, sprinkle a neat line of praline just off-centre on each plate. Arrange the slices of caramelised banana at opposing angles. Unmould the parfait, then use a warmed knife to neaten the sides and cut into finger-thick slices. Lay the slice on the opposite side of the plate to the banana and serve straight away.