dessert

Chocolate Blood Orange Parfaits

Chocolate_Blood_Orange_Parfaits.jpg

By: Co+op, welcome to the table

Recipe Information
Total Time: 50 minutes, plus 2 hours refrigeration; 30 minutes active
Servings: 8

This two-in-one recipe builds a delicious dessert that celebrates some of our favorite sweet flavors. Looking for a shortcut? Grab a couple of cookies from the Co-op and substitute for the made-at-home variety. We recommend the soft and delicious gluten-free chocolate chip cookies our Bakery is famous for.

Ingredients

Cookies

  • 1/2 teaspoons blood orange zest

  • 3/4 cup cocoa

  • 1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

  • 4 large egg whites 2 teaspoons vanilla

  • 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Parfaits

  • 6 cups nonfat Greek yogurt

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

  • 2 blood oranges

  • Mint sprigs, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Heat oven to 350°F. Zest one orange into a small bowl, reserve. In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk cocoa, sugar and salt. In a glass measuring cup, combine egg whites and vanilla, then slowly beat into dry ingredients on low speed. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes, until glossy. Mix walnuts and zest into batter. Drop scant quarter-cup mounds 3 inches apart on the prepared pan, and use a spoon to spread the batter out to half-inch thick cookies.

  2. Put sheet pan on the middle oven rack and reduce heat to 325°F. Bake cookies until thin cracks appear, about 15 to 17 minutes. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan, peeling off the parchment paper if necessary.

  3. Place yogurt in a medium bowl and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla; reserve. Cut an orange in half and squeeze juice from one half into a small cup. Use a knife to slice the rind and pith away from the remaining orange and half-orange, and then use a paring knife to remove segments from the white membranes. Cut segments in half crosswise.

  4. To assemble, use eight wine glasses or glass ramekins. Break each cookie into 4 pieces. Place one-third cup of yogurt mixture in each glass or ramekin, then add 2 pieces of cookie. Top with another one- third cup yogurt, add 4 orange pieces and 2 more cookie pieces, then drizzle blood orange juice around the edge of glass. Repeat process.

  5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and garnish with sprigs of mint before serving.

Tips & Notes

It’s simple to cut this recipe in half when entertaining a smaller crowd, or to double the cookie recipe to have extras for snacking later! If you're not a fan of walnuts or absolutely love chocolate, you can substitute chocolate chips for all or half the walnuts in the cookies.

Poached Pears

Poached_Pears_0.jpg

Recipe Information
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

If you’re cooking for a crowd, we have a fun and decadent dessert that’s sure to impress. Looking for a way to use those pears you got from our 12 days of good food deal? Give this unique treat a try and wow you friends and family at dinner.

Ingredients

  • 6 firm pears (not quite ripe),

  • peeled with stems on

  • 3 cups red wine

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise

  • 1 star anise

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preparation

  1. Choose a cooking pot that will hold the pears snugly. Place red wine, water, and sugar in the pot. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pot; add the pods along with star anise, honey, and lemon juice.

  2. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring to make sure the sugar is dissolved.

  3. Add the peeled pears, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until pears are tender.

  4. Remove the pears and continue simmering the liquid until it becomes thick and syrupy. Use this syrup to glaze the pears before serving.

Serving Suggestion

Serve pears warm or cold, with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraiche, if desired.