Granola and Ricotta Cream Parfait

By ctozzi

With a batch of granola ready, it takes only minutes to prepare this easy breakfast dish. You can substitute whole blackberries or blueberries for the strawberries and sliced peaches for the nectarines.

Ingredients

• For the ricotta cream:
• 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 cups whole-milk or part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 2 nectarines, pitted and sliced
• 3 cups granola (bought or homemade recipe follows)
• For the granola:
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup cashew halves
• 2 Tbs. shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup light sesame oil
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preparation

Step 1

To make the ricotta cream, in a large bowl, whisk together the cream, confectioners’ sugar, ricotta and vanilla until smooth.

Place a few pieces of strawberries and nectarines on the bottom of four 1 3/4-cup glass bowls or parfait glasses. Divide half of the ricotta cream among the bowls. Spoon about 1/4 cup granola over each serving, then add another layer of the remaining strawberries and nectarines. Add another layer of the ricotta cream and top off with the remaining granola. Serves 4.

For the granola:
Preheat an oven to 325°F.

To make the granola, in a large bowl, using a large spoon, stir together the oats, walnuts, almonds, cashews and coconut. In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup, vanilla and sesame oil. Drizzle the maple syrup mixture over the oat mixture and stir to moisten evenly. Transfer the oat mixture to a rimmed baking sheet and spread in an even layer.

Bake, stirring about every 7 minutes, until the oats just begin to turn golden, about 30 minutes total. The granola should feel dry, rather than moist; it becomes crisp as it cools. Stir in the apricots and cranberries. Let cool on the baking sheet. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma