Orange Creamsicle Pudding Parfait

One of the really yummy treats I found while following the South Beach Diet a few years ago was made with part-skim ricotta cheese, It gave me the feeling that I was being indulgent while dieting. I still love it, and recently I came across a recipe for a delicious citrus-y parfait using ricotta that would make the perfect ending for dinner. What I really like about it is that it uses Greek yogurt and oranges in it, along with the ricotta. Winter in the northeast doesn't provide much in the way of wonderful fruits, and what there is, is usually expensive. However, oranges are plentiful and since they are so good for you in helping to ward off colds, I think this is a perfect way to use some "winter" fruits. Stonyfield recently provided me with some great coupons for their Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is creamier and thicker than regular yogurt and the plain version provides a wonderful base for cool desserts, baking and cooking.
Stonyfield began in 1983 in New Hampshire and if you don't know their story or have ever tried their products, click here http://www.stonyfield.com/stonyfield/index.jsp.
They have exceptional quality products and I am sure you will like them once you try them.

Now as for my special dessert, here is the recipe. Remember those great orange creamsicles you ate as a kid? Well, here is a grown-up version. It is healthy and delicious and a good way to get your Vitamin C and calcium, without adding a lot of calories.

Orange Creamsicle Pudding Parfait
2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
2 pkgs sugar free fat-free white chocolate pudding mix
1/4 cup (1%) milk
1/2 cup (2%) plain Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 orange
20 drops yellow and 3 drops red liquid food colorings
2 cups thawed frozen fat free whipped topping
Orange slices and mint sprigs to garnish (optional)
In food processor combine 1 cup ricotta, 1 pkg. dry pudding mix, milk, 1/4 cup yogurt and vanilla; process until very smooth. Transfer to bowl; cover. Grate 1 tsp. orange zest and squeeze 1/4 cup juice from orange into food processor. Add food colorings and remaining 1 cup ricotta, 1 pkg. pudding mix and 1/4 cup yogurt; process until very smooth.
Transfer to separate bowl; cover.
Refrigerate both pudding mixes 2 hours or overnight.
When ready to serve, fold 1 cup topping into each pudding mixture. Transfer to separate food storage bags; snip one corner of each. Place both bags, cut corners down, into a large pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe mixture into 6 glasses. If desired, garnish with orange slice and mint. Or, if you are lazy like me...just alternate the layers in your parfait glass!!

Cool Summer Desserts

Summer has finally arrived in Central NY. We are sweltering here...not that I should be complaining after all the rain we've had! But when it is like this, it's hard to get in the mood to cook. So I look to those trusty fast and easy recipes that I have posted for a dinner choice and that leaves me also thinking about dessert. The husband has a sweet tooth so there usually has to be SOMETHING. Since we have beautiful sweet peaches in the house, tonight it is caramel peach parfait. To make it special, I am serving these in long stemmed red wine goblet style wine glasses.
First chop up some juicy peaches and mix in a little ground cinnamon. Now start layering in the glass:Chopped peaches, vanilla ice cream a little caramel topping, peaches, ice cream, a little caramel topping and then sprinkle with chopped walnuts. I love the Slow Churned ice cream to keep the calories down and I am using the Low Fat caramel topping. Bring on the spoons! Here are some more "cool" dessert ideas:
Mix equal parts softened cream cheese with marshmallow fluff. Add some vanilla extract, mix until smooth and use it as a dip for cherries, strawberries....whatever! (Kids LOVE this!)

****************************************
Mix some Cool Whip into ready-to-eat chocolate pudding or instant pudding you have prepared. Toast (in the toaster oven so you don't heat the whole kitchen!) or grill some Sara Lee poundcake slices. Spoon the pudding mixture over the poundcake, top with fresh raspberries and dust with a little confectioner's sugar.

*****************************************
Before you start preparing your dinner, mix chunks of seedless watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew with some chopped crystallized ginger, sugar and lime juice. If you have it, toss in some chopped fresh mint. Place in the fridge to keep cold. When supper is over and you are ready for dessert, spoon the mix into some pretty dessert glasses. Pipe a rosette of whipped cream on top and garnish with a sprig of mint.

I hope you are having glorious weather wherever you are and remember that even in the summer, dessert can still be on the menu and it doesn't have to come in a box. It can still be healthy and homemade.