For Pride week a few years ago, I was inspired by the rainbow flag to create a colorful dessert. I made six flavors of fresh fruit frozen yogurt to mimic the six colors of the rainbow flag. I also created two fun desserts, a colorful six-layer parfait and a tasty banana split that is big enough to share. These desserts are both cool treats for a hot summer night and they are great for any occasion. I hope you enjoy them.
FROZEN YOGURT IN SIX FLAVORS
Fresh fruit frozen yogurt is made with only a few ingredients. With the exception of the fruit, the other ingredients and the preparation method are virtually the same. I used a bit of food coloring to enhance the colors of each flavor, but it is an optional ingredient.
Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
16 oz Fresh Strawberries, sliced
1 cu Sugar
1/3 cu Fresh Lime Juice
3 cu Vanilla Yogurt
3-4 drops red food coloring
Orange Frozen Yogurt
3 medium naval oranges, peeled and sectioned (yielding 16 oz of fruit)
1 cu Sugar
1/3 cu Fresh Lime Juice
3 cu Vanilla Yogurt
2-3 drops red food coloring
2-3 drops yellow food coloring
Lemon Frozen Yogurt
3 med Lemons, peeled and sliced
1/4 Fresh Honey Dew Melon, peeled and sliced (combined with lemon, yielding 16 oz of peeled fruit)
1 cu Sugar
3 cu Vanilla Yogurt
3-4 drops yellow food coloring
Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
16 oz Fresh Blueberries
1 cu Sugar
1/3 cu Fresh Lime Juice
3 cu Vanilla Yogurt
3-4 drops blue food coloring
Kiwi Frozen Yogurt
5 Kiwis, peeled and sliced (yielding 16 oz peeled fruit)
1 cu Sugar
1/3 cu Fresh Lime Juice
3 cu Vanilla Yogurt
2-3 drops yellow food coloring
2-3 drops blue food coloring
Plum Frozen Yogurt
6 Fresh Plums, halved seeded and chopped (yielding 16 oz fruit)
1 cu Sugar
1/3 cu Fresh Lime Juice
3 cu Vanilla Yogurt
2-3 drops blue food coloring
2-3 drops red food coloring
Method
With each recipe, mix fruit, sugar, and lime juice (if listed). Stir to combine and refrigerate for 2 hours. Transfer mixture to a blender and blend for 30 seconds. Strain mixture through a fine sieve. Combine with yogurt and food coloring and freeze according to directions of your ice cream maker.
PARFAIT GLASSES
As you create the first flavor of yogurt, place about 1/3 cup in the bottom of 4-6 tall glasses. Place glasses and remaining frozen yogurt in the freezer. As you make each additional flavor of frozen yogurt, add another layer in each glass. Continue with each flavor until you’ve created all six layers. Serve with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
BANANA SPLIT
Peel and slice 2-3 bananas and place on the side of a long narrow serving bowl. Put a large scoop of each flavor of frozen yogurt along side the bananas. Top with whipped cream and cherries.