Impeccable Day-Perfect Picnic

Blue sky and spring temperature were perfect complements for the menu of a stew and parfait.  The turkey vegetable stew with multi-grain biscuits warmed us up for the Almond Joy parfait to begin an adventure in a new park with many amenities.  The stew recipe was inspired by Cooking Light-one of their freezer friendly meals.  Since I do not have self rising flour for the biscuits, I'm using my version with just the right amount for two servings.  I'm not posting a stew recipe, as these biscuits are good with any stew or even soup recipe, using any combination of vegetables on hand.

Multi-grain Biscuits for Stew

(Serves 2)

Pulse flours, baking powder and salt in a mini food processor.

1/3 cup all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon whole wheat pastry flour

Add buttery spread, pulsing to cut in shortening.

2 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Spread

Mix lemon juice with milk.  Add to food processor bowl and mix in.  Add thyme.

3 tablespoon skim milk

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon thyme

Drop by tablespoons onto parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake at 350 F. for 10 minutes.  Pour warm stew over biscuits to serve.

The no added sugar crumb layers in my strawberry parfaits were inspired by a crust recipe in Clean Eating Magazine. 

Almond Joy Parfait

(Serves 2)

Crumb Layer 

Pulse coconut, dates, nuts and cocoa in a mini food processor until of desired consistency.

3 tablespoon unsweetened coconut

1 Tablespoon 2 teaspoon Medjool dates, chopped

1 TaIblespoon 2 teaspoon walnuts

1 Tablespoon 2 teaspoon almonds

1 Tablespoon cocoa (non-alkalized)

Add extract and mix in.

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Creamy Layer 

Mix Greek yogurt and ricotta cheese.  Stir in blended strawberries and syrup.

I added the ricotta as I had a small amount left in a container I wanted to use. Just use yogurt if that's all that's on hand. 

4 tablespoon Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon ricotta cheese, part skim

3 tablespoon blended strawberries

1 teaspoon brown rice syrup (or honey)

Layer as follows:

2 tablespoon cream mixture

2 tablespoon crumb mixture

2 tablespoon cream mixture

2 tablespoons crumb mixture

Garnish with chopped fresh strawberries.

Our picnic today was at Mingo Creek Park in Washington County (Pennsylvania).  The park has 2 covered bridges, a historical house, trout fishing, bike, walking and horse trails.

Enjoy your week!