Peppermint Parfaits Food

PEPPERMINT CREAMS

Steps:

• Sieve the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add a little of the egg white and a few drops of the peppermint essence and mix really well. You want the mixture to come together as a soft dough, so keep adding a little egg white until this starts to happen (you might not need to use all of it). Taste the mixture and add more peppermint essence if desired.
• Divide the mixture into 20 small balls, then flatten them gently with your fingertips into discs.
• Place baking parchment on a large board or tray and space out the discs. Meanwhile, tip the chocolate into a microwavable bowl and heat in 30 second intervals in the microwave until melted, stirring after each blast. Once melted, leave the chocolate to cool for 5-10 mins then carefully dip the peppermint creams in the melted chocolate until they are half coated. Lay them back on the baking parchment to set for 3-4 hours or overnight.

CHOCOLATE MINT PARFAITS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes; set aside. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, extract and remaining milk. Fold in whipped topping. , Spoon half of the pudding into four parfait glasses. Top with half of cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Garnish with candies if desired.

CHOCOLATE MINT PARFAITS

Steps:

• Using 4 parfait glasses or cocktail glasses, pour 1/2 a shot of creme de menthe into each glass. Top with scoops of mint chocolate ice cream, then drizzle another 1/2 a shot per parfait of creme de menthe over ice cream. Garnish parfaits with mint candy and fresh mint sprigs.

CHOCOLATE AND MINT PARFAITS

Steps:

• Make the chocolate mixture: Place chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan, and pour over chocolate. Let stand 10 minutes, and stir until completely melted and smooth. Set aside.
• Place egg yolk and egg in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat until light and frothy, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Place sugar, corn syrup, and the water (do not stir) in a small saucepan set over medium heat until a candy thermometer registers 245 degrees. Wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming. With mixer on low, slowly pour sugar mixture into eggs; mix until combined mixture is room temperature, about 2 minutes.
• In another bowl, whip remaining 1/3 cup cream to soft peaks. Fold into egg mixture, and fold in chocolate. Fill 3-ounce plastic cups one-third full. Place in freezer until firm, 4 to 5 hours. Unmold onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper; cover with plastic wrap, and return to freezer for at least 1 hour.
• Make the mint mixture: Prepare an ice bath, and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; quickly blanch fresh mint 1 minute. Transfer to ice bath to stop cooking and preserve bright color; let cool completely. Remove from ice bath, and place on paper towels; gently squeeze to extract excess water. Set aside.
• Place sugar, corn syrup, dried mint, and the water (do not stir) in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat until a candy thermometer registers 245 degrees. Wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming. Remove from heat; let cool.
• Add blanched fresh mint; transfer to the jar of a blender. Blend until mixture is a smooth paste, about 3 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve back into saucepan. Place over medium heat, and gently reheat 2 to 4 minutes. Place egg yolks and egg in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat until light and frothy, about 4 minutes. With mixer on low speed, slowly pour sugar mixture into eggs; continue mixing until combined mixture is room temperature, about 5 minutes.
• In another clean bowl, whip cream to soft peaks; fold into egg mixture with a rubber spatula. Fill 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups halfway, and place frozen chocolate mixture in the center of each. Level with remaining mint parfait mixture. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in freezer until completely set, 5 to 6 hours. Store in freezer up to 1 month.
• To serve, unmold parfaits onto serving plates, and garnish with chocolate sauce and candied mint leaves, if desired.

MINT CHOCOLATE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Whisk 2 cups milk with the pudding mix for 2 minutes.
• In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, mint, and remaining milk.
• Fold in whipped topping.
• In dessert glasses, layer pudding and cream cheese mixtures.

PEPPERMINT PARFAITS

Steps:

• Bring mints and 1 cup water to boil in saucepan; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. or until mints are completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Add to gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in remaining water. Remove 1 cup gelatin; reserve, at room temperature, for later use.
• Refrigerate remaining gelatin 45 min. or until slightly thickened. Whisk in 1/2 cup COOL WHIP until blended. Pour into 4 dessert glasses. Refrigerate 20 min. or until gelatin mixture is set but not firm.
• Pour reserved gelatin over gelatin layers in dessert glasses. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm. Top with remaining COOL WHIP before serving.

PINK PEPPERMINT PARFAIT

Steps:

• Heat water to boiling in 2 quart saucepan.
• Remove from heat.
• Add gelatin powder and stir until dissolved.
• Stir in ice cold water & peppermint extract.
• Cut ice cream into chunks.
• Add to gelatin mixture and stir until blended.
• Chill mixture until it begins to thicken and mound when spooned. (about 20 -30 minutes).
• Turn into parfait glasses.
• Chill until firm, 25-45 minutes.
• Garnish with chocolate sprinkles.
• Enjoy.