by Maureen Garcia, Other Avenues worker-owner
This recipe is a lovely fall dessert that not only tastes and looks great but is also made from only whole foods without any added sugar! I have tweaked it slightly but Chef AJ gets all the credit (you can find the original recipe here). This can be made ahead of time and chilled, perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
- One recipe each of Pumpkin Mousse, Cherry Peary Cranberry sauce, and Pear Whip (recipes below)
Instructions
- In a clear, pretty glass, make the parfait layers. Start with a layer of the Pumpkin Mousse, followed by the Cranberry Sauce, and top with the Pear Whip.
- Garnish with a few fresh cranberries, pomegranate arils, or a fresh mint leaf.
Pumpkin Mousse
Ingredients
- 3 cups of roasted sweet potatoes, the Murasaki (Japanese) or Hannah variety
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla powder
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Chill well before serving.
Cherry, Peary Cranberry Relish
Ingredients
- 1 cup of pear halves (this is the yield from a 25-ounce jar of pears in their own juice) or approximately 2½ cups of pears if using fresh or canned
- 1 large navel orange, peeled, plus the zest
- 8 ounces frozen cherries defrosted (approx. 1½ cups)
- 12 ounces unsweetened fresh cranberries
- ½ inch piece fresh ginger (more or less, to taste)
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Zest the oranges and then peel. Place all ingredients in a food processor fitted with the “S” blade and process until a uniform texture is reached. Do not liquefy.
Pear Whip
Ingredients
- 1 25-ounce jar of pears in their own juice (or approximately 2½ cups of pears if using fresh or canned)
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla powder
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
CHEF’S TIPS: Substitute unsweetened jarred peaches in their own juice for the pears. If you are using fresh pears, this may not be as sweet so consider roasting them first and/or adding Date Paste, to taste.
If you want more thickness, add 2 Tablespoons of white chia seeds dissolved in 4 Tablespoons of liquid before blending.
