Saturday, February 25, 2012

Tropical Delight Parfait

Though the grass may be green...it does not exactly feel 'tropical' out here just yet.  But having a tropical fresh fruit parfait on a winter's day...helps one pretend! 

Many years ago, I tutored ESL for a group of recent immigrants to our country.  For the most part, they spoke Spanish.  I used this recipe as a tutorial...with the students learning all the English words for the ingredients involved.  We prepared the recipe together...and when the session was over...we ate our lesson!  When I prepare this dish...I always remember my Spanish speaking friends of long ago.


  • 1 pkg. vanilla instant pudding (4 serving size)
  • 1 can (540 ml.) crushed pineapple, juice included
  • 1 cup pina colada yogurt (or vanilla)
  • 1 cup mandarin orange segments (use fresh or canned oranges)
  • 1 or 2 bananas, sliced
  • toasted coconut for topping 
  1. Mix vanilla pudding with crushed pineapple in a bowl.
  2. Add 1 cup yogurt and mix until combined.
  3. Stir in mandarin oranges and bananas.
  4. Spoon into serving dishes and top with toasted coconut.  
Once the pudding, crushed pineapple and yogurt are combined...you can add fruit as you prefer, more of one and less of another.   I like to toss in some fresh pineapple as well.