Citrus Yogurt Parfait with Berries and Home Made Granola

I’m sure that many of you are eating lighter and healthier these days after the holiday feasts.  If eating healthier is one of your New Year Resolutions, then I have a special treat for you today!  This Citrus Yogurt Parfait with Berries and Home Made Granola is absolutely tasty and satisfying.  You can serve this parfait as breakfast, afternoon snack, and/or dessert. 



The citrus zests in the low fat vanilla yogurt is refreshing and delightful.  The yogurt is slightly sweetened by the agave, which complement perfectly with the sweetness and tartness from the berries and pomegranate.   The Home Made Granola adds a wonderful contrasting crunch to the parfait.  Not to mention, the granola is a perfect snack on it’s own.  I’ll go over the details in its ingredients in just a bit.



Here is a closer look at the parfait.  Hm….one perfect bite with a little bit of everything!



Let’s take a look at the Home Made Coconut Granola with Almonds, Pistachios, Dried Cranberries, Dried Cherries, and Goji Berries.  It’s a lovely combination of flavors and texture.  Also, each ingredient contains awesome vitamins and nutrition with many health benefits. If you’re not familiar with Goji Berries, I got mine from a Chinese supermarket.  I know Whole Foods markets carry them as well. Or, you can simply order them here.  Below is a picture of the Goji Berries, they are also known as Wolfberry or Fructus Lycii.  They are one of the basic ingredients used in Chinese soups.

According to WebMD, the goji berry are filled with powerful antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent cancer, protect vision, and other illnesses, including heart disease. Antioxidants may also boost the immune system and lower cholesterol and slow the aging process.  Boy, that sounds like music to my ears.   To read more about the health benefit and side effects of Goji Berries, please click here.   



I usually make a large batch of these granola and store them in an air tight container.  That way, it’s always available when I need to make a parfait, top them on yogurt or ice cream, add into cereal or oak meal, or simply snack on them as is.



Below is a picture of the granola with each of the main ingredient listed.  Check it out.



I hope you’ll try this granola and parfait.  You’re going to love them.  Thank you for stopping by today and wish you a wonderful weekend!


 
 
Disclaimer: No information, ingredient or product mentioned on this site is meant to diagnose, treat or replace professional medical advice.  They are my experience, my journey, and my opinions.  Please consult with your doctor before using any of the ingredients or products mentioned here. 
 



Citrus Yogurt Parfait with Berries and Home Made Granola
(Printable Recipe)
Serves 2


1 cup low fat Vanilla yogurt
zest of 1 orange
1 tablespoon of agave
1/2 cup black berries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup pomegranate
1 cup Home Made Granola (recipe followed)

In a medium bowl, stir yogurt, orange zest and agave together, set aside.  In another medium bowl, mix black berries, blueberries and pomegranate together, set aside.

Drop 1/4 cup of the mixed berries into each of the 2 tall parfait glasses.  Top with 1/4 cup of yogurt mixture into each glass; followed by 1/4 cup of the home made granola.  Repeat one more time with these layers of each ingredient.  Serve immediately and enjoy!



Coconut Granola with Almonds, Pistachios, Cranberries, Cheeries and Goji Berries:
Makes: 8 cups

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
6 tablespoons of coconut oil
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
3/4 cup roasted pistachios, shelled
1/4 cup dried goji berries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, toss the oats, coconut, almonds and salt together.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, honey, and vanilla. Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated.

Pour onto an 12 by 17 by 1-inch sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake, stirring every 8 -10 minutes with a wooden spatula/spoon, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. 

Remove the granola from the oven to cool on a wiring rack, stirring occasionally.  When granola is completely cooled, mix in cranberries, cherries, pistachios and goji berries. Store the granola in an airtight container.