Roasted Strawberry Parfait

I love this rich strawberry decadent parfait. 

It's fast and easy to assemble, makes a lovely presentation, and tastes divine. In addition, it's relatively healthy and uses only real whole food, making it a healthy snack even for kids! 

Did I mention it's gluten free, egg free and I offer a vegan substitution?

You may be thinking. Why would you roast a strawberry? 

I had the same thought. After all, fresh strawberries are plump, juicy and delicious. 

I was afraid that roasting them might ruin them. Not so!!

 To tell you the truth, I've always loved strawberries, but I have to admit that until now I've only ever eaten them fresh. I was both intrigued and curious about the idea of roasting them, but a little hesitant to ruin a perfectly good plump juicy berry by putting it into a hot oven.

Well, my curiosity won out and before you knew it, I had a pound of  fresh organic strawberries washed, hulled, and quartered on a cookie sheet roasting away in a 400 oven.

Strawberries quartered and laid out on parchment paper on a cookie sheet

After 5 minutes, the juicy red fruit were bubbling and oozing . And after just 15 minutes, the berries were slightly shriveled and were bathing in a deep pool of their own natural juices, They were roastd and ready to be scooped up from my spattered parchment paper.  

I couldn't wait to try a sample, and I can tell you that I wasn't disappointed. The taste was outrageous. The flavors of the maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon made this fragrant strawberry compote a dessert in itself. 

I made two batches; this one had some blueberries in it.. a strawberry and blueberry compote

Making this elegant parfait was very easy. 

I used vanilla low fat Greek yogurt that was high in protein  but low in calories and layered the yogurt and the roasted strawberries I call it skinny because an entire parfait is relatively low in calories.

If you are vegan, make this dessert with whipped coconut cream instead of the yogurt.

Ingredients: 

1 pound of organic strawberries, cleaned, hulled, and quartered

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1/4 cup of real maple syrup or honey 

4 containers of 5 ounce each Vanilla Greek Yogurt or vegan coconut whipped cream

4 small mason jars for the parfaits

Cinnamon for dusting on the parfaits

Makes: 4 parfaits

Directions to make the roasted strawberries: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Place strawberries in a large bowl and toss with vanilla extract and optional port wine if desired. 

Place strawberries on a cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper and allow the berries to roast for 12- 15 minutes. Remove from oven and store the strawberries and juice in a glass bowl.. Next, add the maple syrup and save the cinnamon for dusting the top of the parfaits! 

Directions to assemble the parfait

Use a 5 ounce container of  Greek yogurt for each small mason jar. Start with the yogurt. Spoon some on the bottom of the jar. Add some roasted strawberries and alternate layering the yogurt and the Strawberries. Sprinkle with cinnamon and eat immediately or place in the refrigerator for later.

Other uses for roasted strawberries: 

Use it as a topping for pancakes, ice cream, sweet potatoes, etc, 

The possibilities are endless for how to use roasted strawberries! 

I didn't stop at the strawberries: I tried this same recipe with blueberries and red grapes ( amazing) Equally good but the strawberries emitted the most juice.

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