Valentine's Day Strawberry Parfaits

                                                                           
In honor of Saint Valentine, let's whip up a batch of Strawberry Parfaits. Easy to make and absolutely delicious, these beauties will look just gorgeous on your dinner table for Valentine's Day. So, dust off your most elegant stemware or glasses and show off your culinary talents!
Be sure to check out my Baking & Desserts section at Suite101 for additional Valentines dessert ideas!

Strawberry Parfait Recipe

• 4 cups fresh, ripe strawberries, hulled
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup cream cheese (4 ounces)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup vanilla cookies, coarsely crushed
• 1/2 cup whipped topping
• 2 Tbsp sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Slice 2 cups of strawberries and set aside.
2. Place remaining 2 cups of strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a blender and pulse a few times until it resembles coarse puree and sugar is mixed in.
3. In a medium mixing bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat ricotta, cream cheese, powdered sugar, water and vanilla until smooth.
4. Start by layering crushed cookies in the bottom of the glass, followed by strawberry puree, strawberry slices and cheese mixture.
5. Repeat once more and decorate with whipped topping.
6. Sprinkle almond slices over the top.
7. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
8. Serves 8 depending on the size of your glasses.

Cheers!

(photo by richcd,morguefile)