Parfaits

This is a great summer time treat. Who doesn't like parfait? What I plan to do is give you a couple of basic recipes and then you can mix n' match and come up with your own creations. The first is real basic, because when I hear dessert I think chocolate.

Chocolate Mousse

9oz chocolate chips
1 cup cream
4 egg yolks

Grind chips in food processor. Boil cream and add hot cream to food processor. While cream is blending add yolks and continue blending for about 5 min. Refridgerate about 6 hours.

Fruit Compote

1lb of fruit (berries are excellent)
splash of lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 stick of butter

Cook on high heat over stove until juice on bottom boils then add:

1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Stir until thick, remove from heat and let cool.

Crunch

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter

cut butter into mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Bake at 350 until browned.

Take any or all of these and layer them in a clear cup. If you have small children plastic cups are wonderful. Whip heavy cream or use cool whip for layers. Add a bit of extract or liquer to your chocolate or whip cream to give it a kick: bit o' brewed coffee, mint, orange, almond, or kahlua are big favorites. Here are some favorite combos: Chocolate, blueberry compote, whip cream. Coffee chocolate, mint whipped cream. Crunch, apple compote, almond whipped cream. (with apple compote add a little vanilla and cinnamon to the fruit as it cooks) Blueberry compote, whipped cream, fresh strawberries.

Update:
Ok you must check out this parfait in drink form: Utter Sin.