I remember, as a young girl, thinking fruity drinks were the height of cool.
I dreamed of the day I could order a piña colada or strawberry daiquiri, imagining myself on a porch overlooking some large body of water.
After a day of sunbathing and reading, I pictured ending the evening with a frozen, sugary drink so delicious it would give me an instant headache.
I even imagined plucking a few twenty-dollar bills from a money tree in the backyard to fund tomorrow’s indulgence.
I’ve always been a dreamer. Fruity frozen drinks still excite me, as do beach scenes and daydreams about the future.
Piña colada remains one of my favorite flavors.
To my dismay, I learned piña coladas aren’t a daily treat for most people — and they aren’t particularly good for you either.
And, spoiler: there really wasn’t a money tree in my backyard. I still pray every night to find one, but it hasn’t appeared yet.
So I set out to find a reasonable, healthy, delicious, and budget-friendly replacement for my piña colada daydream — with or without rum. Preferably with.
I didn’t add coconut rum to this parfait because I can’t be trusted — one drop and I’m done for. Plus, it was a school night. Not that I’m still in school, but I clearly haven’t grown up yet.
That said, I highly recommend adding a splash of rum next time. It’s the first thing on my list for the next batch.
This parfait is packed with protein and bursting with juicy, sweet fruit. Toasted coconut adds a touch of crunch and a creamy note that gives the texture I crave.
Mango Colada Parfait
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/4 cup chopped mango
1/4 cup toasted coconut
Method:
Begin with a layer of fruit and toasted coconut, then add a layer of Greek yogurt. Repeat to build as many layers as you like, finishing with extra fruit and coconut on top. If desired, add a splash of coconut rum for an adult version.
Doesn’t it look like pie?
It almost tastes like pie too — just without the crust. Try it; it will make your belly happy.