Yogurt Parfait

In our family we love our yogurt parfaits.  Mostly, I will make them as a dessert but when I am industrious I will make extra and have them for breakfast.  We top them with hemp seeds and granola and all our tummies are so happy.

Lots of times in the middle layer I will just put more fruit but lately, I am loving the layer of chia seeds for extra protein. When I do this I let them sit overnight in the fridge so the seeds can soak and release all their goodness. They also get that nice chewy, gooey texture to them that I love. You can make this with any combinations of fruit and yogurt that you wish, My favorite is to use my homemade greek yogurt ( just search yogurt for the recipe) with some vanilla bean paste and honey mixed in then I layer it with chopped mangoes. Another great combo is to use coconut yogurt with pineapple and kiwi chunks and top with toasted coconut. Get creative and I know you will find a combo that you love too.

So wash them mitts, lets get cookin'.

Yogurt Parfaits

Serves 4

4c yogurt, flavor and style of your choice

2c fruit of choice, fresh or frozen

1c chia seeds

If using frozen fruit thaw in the microwave for about a minute they will still be slightly frozen but will thaw and be perfect. Chop fruit into bit size pieces and divide in half on cutting board. In four glasses or mason jars use one half of the fruit and place in the bottom of glasses then layer in about 1/2c yogurt into each.  Next, layer in 1/4c of chia seeds then again 1/2c yogurt then divide the remaining fruit for the top layer.  Cover and place in fridge overnight or at least 2 hours.  When ready to enjoy top with granola and whatever else your little heart desires.

*I mostly use frozen fruit because it is what I always have on hand and I love all the juices they have when they thaw. I also love using combinations of  2-3 fruits.

Ideas for fruit; peaches, mango, nectarines, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, blueberries. 

Drinkable Yogurt

I remember when I was little shopping with my mom the treat I always wanted was a Yop. In Canada Yop has been a round for decades. It is a drinkable yogurt sold in many flavors. As a small child that is the only treat I remember wanting. Once in a special while she would let me pick one out. My favorite flavor was raspberry and still is.

 The first day I made this recipe my son tried the peach and exclaimed it tasted like 'Heaven!'  That is a tall compliment for a drink but I do think it fits pretty well considering I tripled the batch and it was all gone the next day.  That is a lot of drinkable yogurt! I don't mind how fast they drink this since the only sweeteners are honey and dates, the yogurt is full of calcium, protein and probiotics and then which ever fruit you choose to flavor is full of fiber and vitamins.

 Some of the flavors shown here are peach, banana/ strawberry and blackberry.  The colours are so pretty I just wanted to look at them. Of course you can pick any fresh or frozen fruit your heart desires although I would stay away from the citrus family since they may curdle and the melon family unless you are prepared for a really thin drink because of all the liquid they hold.
You can start with some freshly made yogurt (recipe posted a few days ago) or you can just use some plain store bought yogurt, a non-greek style will work best in this case.

So wash them mitts, lets get cookin'.

Drinkable Yogurt

4c Yogurt, plain (homemade or otherwise)

2 Dates, pitted

4Tbsp Honey

2c Fruit of your choice, fresh or frozen (optional)

Place all ingredients in a blender and wiz it up until smooth. Chill and enjoy!

Flavor ideas:

Raspberry

Strawberry /banana

Peach/Blueberry

Blackberry with lime zest

Vanilla bean

Pumpkin spice

Coconut/ Pineapple

Plain

Blueberry Granola

There is just something about the crunchy bites of almonds and the chewy sweet dried blueberry that make this granola hard to stop eating. I love that its full of almonds for protein, chia seeds to detoxify your body, blueberries for antioxidants, flax for your omega 3 and oats loaded with fibre.  What more could you ask for in a breakfast or snack.

I love making granola! It is so fast, simple and your house smells amazing while it is cooking.

So wash them mitts, lets get cookin'.

Blueberry Granola

3c Oats, rolled

1/2c Almonds, slivered or chopped

1/4c Chia Seeds

1/8c Flax seeds, freshly ground

1/2c Blueberries, dried

1/3c Coconut oil, melted

1/3c Honey, softened

Preheat oven to 350F

In a large bowl mix together oats, almonds and seeds.

In a smaller bowl mix together honey and oil. They will not mix well but give it a bit of a stir then add it to the oats and stir until all is coated and evenly mixed.

Place on a cookie sheet and spread out evenly and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and add in the blueberries and stir a little. Return to oven and bake an additional 8-10 minutes.  Do not over cook as the blueberries will turn very hard. Once finished cooking remove from oven and let sit until cooled then break the granola up.  I like big chunks here and there so break up as much as you wish.

Serve over yogurt, with milk or just by the handful. Enjoy!