November 25th is National Parfait Day #NationalParfaitDay and I know David wouldn’t mind having a Parfait because he loves Fruit which I would pass on. I don’t think Charlie has ever had a Parfait so I may make Strawberry and Peach parfaits this evening for Charlie and David to try.
We can bring his Grandfather and Uncle Mike a Blueberry Parfait. Before you ask what about Granny Sherry she doesn’t do much dessert and would share with David’s dad. As for me I will just sneak some of the Whipped Cream. Would you like for us to make you a Parfait? If so what kind and why?
National Parfait Day is celebrated on November 25th every year. People will be celebrating National Parfait Day by having a Parfait dessert with Cherry and Butterscotch toppings. The Parfait recipe first appeared in an 1890s French Cookbook? Parfait, meaning “perfect” in English, is a dessert of French origin consisting of Cream, Egg, Sugar, and Syrup.
These basic ingredients are boiled together to create a Custard-like puree. This is different from the American Parfait, which contains Granola, Nuts, Yogurt, and Liqueurs, with Fruits or Whipped Cream toppings. Did you know a Parfait is usually served in tall clear glassware, with a long spoon called a ‘Parfait spoon’?
The history of Parfait can be traced to the invention of a popular dish, dessert, which has become part of the traditional three-course meal. The word ‘dessert’ is derived from the French word ‘desservir,’ meaning ‘to clear the table’ in English. Its origin began with you guessed it right Sugar.
In the Middle Ages, Sugar was a rare product in Europe and was only enjoyed by the rich and the aristocrats on special occasions. From that period to the late 15th Century, refined Sugar served as a sweetener and seasoner, sprinkled on Stew and roasted Meat. The dessert itself was Fruit, Gingerbread, Sugared Almonds, and Jelly. Sometimes Cookies, Marzipan, or Meringues were served as dessert.
As time progressed, sweetening meals with Sugar lost its appeal, and focus was placed on visual presentation. Chefs began crafting elaborate sculptures, entirely made of Sugar, which served at the centerpiece of the dessert course. Examples of such Sugary sculptures included the severed head of Louis XV and the rock of Gibraltar. However, this custom ended with the French Revolution in the 16th Century.
The industrial revolution transformed dessert from a meal for the elite to something easily accessible to the masses. It was in this period that the Parfait emerged. One of the first Parfait recipes dates back to the 1890s in France. As French culture spread outside its borders, European Countries and the Americas adopted what was fashionable, including the Parfait dessert.
The French Parfait was expanded, and ingredients including Yogurt, Nuts, fresh Fruits, and Granola were used in making a Parfait. This version of Parfait, termed American Parfait, spread across the Country and became the most dominant. Over the years, different variations were created, and now, Parfait has come to occupy a space in the American dessert culture.
How to Celebrate National Parfait Day
- Within five to 10 minutes, you can make yourself a Parfait, without breaking a sweat. The basic ingredients are Granola, Yogurt, and your favorite Fruit which can include Blackberries, Strawberries, or Raspberries. You can play around with the recipe or check online for a recipe you would like to create.
- If you have the means and opportunity reward yourself for a long week at work with a Parfait. Check Google or any other business listing websites for the nearest restaurant that serves Parfaits. You can choose to go traditional by having a French Parfait, patriotic with an American Parfait, or adventurous with some other Countries’ Parfaits. The Sky’s the limit as long as you have a Parfait.
- Take today and throw a Parfait party and remember the party does not necessarily have to be loud: you can have a gathering of friends and neighbors, each bringing a different Parfait to share with everyone.
Facts About Dessert
- The Frozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae is the most expensive dessert, at $25,000.
- According to NASA, Ice Cream was the most missed item by Astronauts in space.
- Did you know there is a machine in Beverly Hills that dispenses Cupcakes? Wouldn’t it be fun to purchase a Cupcake from the machine?
- Did you know Ice Cream testers use gold spoons to taste the dessert for 100% original taste? I didn’t know that and neither did Charlie or David.
- Armenia’s Grand Candy Company holds the record for making the world’s biggest Chocolate Bar, weighing 9702 lbs. That’s a whole lot a Chocolate.
Why People Love National Parfait Day
There is no, better way than spending the day with friends and family having glasses of frozen, luscious layers of Parfait and there is are ways to spend your day on National Parfait Day: including going on a Parfait date, to try out a Vegan Parfait recipe, or host a Parfait party.
Did you know various Countries across Europe, the Americas, and Asia have different recipes for a Parfait.? In the U.K., a Parfait refers to a very smooth Meat Paste, and the French boil Egg, Cream, and Sugar Syrup together to create the traditional Parfait dish. Americans and Canadians make a Parfait by layering Parfait Cream and Ice Cream, and serving the Parfait in a tall, transparent glass.
Some Parfaits contain a high Sugar that may be unhealthy, the Parfait recipe is flexible enough to allow healthy iterations. If you love Parfait and want to minimize your Sugar consumption, or you’re on a Vegan diet, you can go for a Banana Blueberry Yogurt Parfait, or a Berry Granola Parfait, if you prefer Apples try a Apple Pie Parfait. There are many other healthy Parfait recipes out there if you take the time to search.
Recipe for a Blueberry Parfait
Ingredients
- 2 cups blueberries washed well
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Add the blueberries, chia seeds and 1 tablespoon sugar to a blender. Blend until completely smooth, refrigerate.
- Remove the bowl and beaters from the freezer. Add the heavy cream, vanilla and powdered sugar to the bowl and whip on high until soft peaks form.
- Fold the whip cream into the blueberry mixture.
- Spoon or pipe into pretty bowls or glasses, top with a dollop of whipped cream and reserved blueberries.
- Serve immediately.
- Reserve a small handful of blueberries and a few dollops of whip cream for garnish (if desired).
Notes
Place thee bowl and beaters for the mixer into the freezer prior to making the whipped cream. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, it will make it easier to make the whip cream.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
