Parfait Party -raspberries, rosewater and chocolate

Just picked raspberry and chocolate pudding parfait

Check out this end of summer parfait full of just picked berries, natural sweetness and healthy fats and proteins. Don’t be intimidated by all the layers – each one is super simple and each one can be used as a dessert on it’s own without the other.

To start:

*Soak 1 2/3 cup of  cashews in 4 cups of water for a few hours or overnight

* Make the base sauce for two of the layers: one quart of fresh raspberries, 1 cup water, 1 pinch salt, 1/2 tsp rose water. Blend all the above into a puree and then put through a fine sieve to remove the seeds. Makes about 1 quart (use what is left over for smoothies or dressings etc….)

Here’s the recipe(s):

The following recipes make 8 – 10 good sized individual parfaits

Decorate with a swirl of raspberry puree or fresh mint leaves

Raspberry  pudding:

The soaked cashews, about 2 cups (directions above), drained and rinsed

1 1/4 – 1 1/2 cups of the raspberry puree (directions above)

1/4 cup of agave, or 1/3 cup pitted dates

1 T coconut oil (optional), 1/4 – 1/2 tsp more rosewater if needed

1/4 tsp salt

Blend all the above together until smooth and creamy

Chocolate pudding:

1 cup mashed avocado

4-5 T cocoa powder, or raw cacao powder

6 t pitted dates

1/2 tsp vanilla, 2 drops peppermint extract

1/4 tsp salt

1 – 1 1/4   cups water

Blend all the above together until light and creamy

Crunchy coconut in-between layers:

two handfuls of coconut flakes

one handful date pieces

1 pinch salt

Put all the above into a blender and pulse a few times until roughly mixed

Kanten (vegan jello) Layer: this layer should go on top

2 cups apple juice

3 T agar flakes

1 pinch salt

1 cup raspberry puree

Bring the first three ingredients to a boil and stir until the agar is completely dissolved

Add the puree and stir well – Make this layer last so it doesn’t set before you are ready to pour it

Line up the parfait glasses and fill them assembly line style, one layer at a time in each before moving on to the next layer. Or just make one of the puddings and serve in wine or champagne glasses with fresh mint or chocolate shavings…….. best if chilled for a couple of hours or overnight