Figgie Plum Parfait

Serves 6

Sweet, ripe, fresh plums are pureed with dried figs and dates to make a smooth, mildly sweet chilled pudding. Topped with a healthy whipped cream replacement, it makes a “good for you” treat with a lovely presentation. This dessert is high in fiber to help slow sugar absorption and promote healthy bowel flow.

NUT CREAM
1 cup macadamias or cashews, soaked in water 20 minutes
6-8 pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

PARFAIT
2 fresh ripe plums, pitted and quartered
1/2 cup dried figs, any variety, soaked in water 10 minutes, save soaking water
6 large Medjool dates, soaked in water 10 minutes if hard
1/2–inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
a couple dashes each: cinnamon, nutmeg, salt
maple syrup, to taste (optional)

GARNISH
mint leaves
cinnamon and nutmeg

Blend all the nut cream ingredients in a food processor until smooth and velvety. Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill for several hours.

In the same food processor bowl (no need to rinse it out) blend all the parfait ingredients until smooth and velvety, adding a little of the soaking water from the figs to help it blend evenly. Optional: press the puree through a fine-meshed sieve to remove the small seeds. Scoop the puree into parfait cups and place on a tray or sheet pan. Cover the parfait cups with sheet of parchment or waxed paper. Chill for several hours.

Just before serving, dollop each parfait cup with a heaping scoop of the nut cream. Decorate with mint leaves and sprinkle with a little cinnamon and nutmeg.

©2009 Copyright Alison Anton – All rights reserved.