My Mixed Berry Parfait recipe is a little bit different from the typical breakfast parfait. I use a combination of ricotta and greek yogurt and the result is a super creamy almost dessert like texture that you won't be able to stop eating!
The History
Ricotta and Greek yogurt are two totally different ingredients with very different beginnings but together they make this parfait perfect!
Ricotta
As per delallo.com ricotta is "latticino" which means dairy by product. It is made from the whey of cow, goat or sheep milk. The whey is allowed to ferment for a day or two in lukewarm temperature till it turns acidic. It's then boiled till curds form and then strained in a cheese cloth. Similar to cottage cheese it's a little creamier and sweeter. Believed to have originated in Sicily it is a popular ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes.
Greek Yogurt
www.bonappetit.com demystifies Greek Yogurt by saying it is nothing more than "strained" yogurt. Popular in Greece and the Middle East, it's a popular choice for dips due to its thick and dense consistency. The Middle Eastern Labneh is perhaps even thicker than Greek Yogurt and is used in many recipes. Here in the US Greek yogurt is a popular health food option due to its high protein content.
Some recipes are better when prepared with regular yogurt, such as my butter chicken and my roasted leg of goat with tandoori masala as Greek yogurt tends to curdle when cooked. However, add it to a smoothie or a parfait and it tastes amazing!
Parfait
southfloridareporter.com states that the oldest written record of a parfait is in a 1869 cookbook. Parfait means perfect and was a reference to a frozen dessert description in 1894. Parfaits were traditionally layered desserts of cream, ice cream, nuts and fruits. For the last few years the word has become synonymous with a breakfast yogurt parfait, a layered concoction of yogurt, berries and granola.
My Story
During a high protein diet phase I decided to try ricotta with berries and some monk fruit sweetener for a sweet tooth craving. It was surprisingly good but the texture was a bit grainy. Mixed with some Vanilla Greek yogurt it was perfect! I'm no longer on the diet but still love it enough to frequently have it for breakfast or as a snack.
When not having it for diet reasons I sweeten it with a little honey and orange juice. This further smoothens the texture and makes it creamier. Mixed with the berries and topped with almonds it's virtually a dessert! The orange juice and honey add a depth of flavor that makes it seem like anything but yogurt and ricotta!
The Recipe
What started as 2 tablespoons of ricotta, 1 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener and a handful of berries is now a delightful breakfast that I can't wait to wake up to!
This is so delicious and pretty to look at you can easily serve it at a brunch! The colors make it a beautiful Fourth of July healthy dessert option to serve at your barbecue!
Switch it up and try some different seasonal fruit and flavorings! Pineapple and mangoes would be some great options! Try some different types of nuts, shredded coconut or even some shaved dark chocolate as a topping !
My favorite part is it's so easy to make! I hope you decide to try the recipe and like it! Don't forget to rate the recipe if you do!
Mixed Berry Parfait Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup ricotta
- ½ cup vanilla greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsps honey
- 2 Tbsps orange juice
- ⅓ cup blueberries
- ⅓ cup raspberries
- ⅓ cup strawberries
- 1 Tbsp slivered almonds
- 1 sprig mint
Instructions
- Stir together the ricotta, greek yogurt, honey and orange juice and mix well
- Wash all the berries and pat dry
- Layer the berries and the ricotta/yogurt mixture in a tall clear glass or jar
- Top with the almonds and the sprig of mint
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