Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Grasshopper Parfaits


If you are looking for an easy, throw-it-together-in-about-10-minutes-treat to celebrate the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist (the only saint who gets to celebrate his birthday liturgically) then here is an idea for you. Grasshopper pies are refreshing in the summertime, but usually require chilling time. Grasshopper parfaits are ready to eat as soon as you like.

What you need:
instant chocolate pudding
milk
oreos
Andes Creme de Menthe baking bits
peppermint extract
green food coloring
whipped cream




Make the pudding according to package directions and set aside. Mix in 1/2 to 1 tsp. of peppermint extract.

Let your youngest child get all ninja-like on a bag of 15- 20 Oreos or just crush them yourself and mix with equal amount of Andes baking bits.

Add 8-10 drops of green food coloring to whipped cream. (I used Cool Whip because I needed to get it out of my freezer.)

Layer in a tall glass; pudding, whipped cream, and cookie mixture. Repeat. Chill, if you want to, or just serve!
Enjoy!

St. John the Baptist, cousin of Our Lord, pray for us!



Original recipe found at Allrecipes. This version includes my alterations.
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10 comments:

  1. Goodness, all of my favorite things! Sigh.

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  2. I am druelling and going to the store to pick up the ingredients to make for dinner this evening! How luscious they look!

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  3. WEll I guess I know what I'm making for tomorrow's dessert! THANKS as this sounds really, really good!

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  4. Yum, but keep in mind that John the Baptist would not likely have eaten grasshoppers...they are not kosher. No insects in the dietary list. It is believed that the "Locusts" refered to are the milk filled pods of a Locust tree/ bush. Makes more sense doesn't it? The land flowing with milk and honey!
    Pax Christi.

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  5. I am no Biblical historian, but I found this information interesting in light of what Elizabeth said:

    John was, many believe, influenced by the Essene sect, who ate dried locusts. Some modern people try to refute that the Essenes did, but the Damascus Rule 12.13-14, an Essene manuscript that is part of the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran near the Dead Sea, discusses eating actual locusts.

    Modern-day Western apologists, coming from cultures in which consuming insects is next to anathema, write pages defending the theory that Carob beans, not actual locusts, were meant. The actual Greek word, "akris / akrides", though, used here, and in the Gospel according to Mark, means the insect called "locust."

    The current thinking among many scholars now [1] is that John did indeed just plain eat locusts. After all, whatever modern Western feelings are about the matter, the plain truth is that in Judeao-Christian tradition, there is nothing wrong with eating them. In fact, the Bible even states outright that locusts are kosher to eat: "Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind." Leviticus 11:22.


    (Copyright 2010 Practically Edible. All rights reserved and enforced.) Read more of this snippet here.

    And also, this Rabbi has answered the question about which locusts/insects are considered kosher to a digestively disturbing degree. Wikipedia also has more about the locust/grasshopper exceptions.

    When I come up with a particular treat or menu to celebrate a saint's feast day it's really just my way of finding something interesting and yummy to enjoy with my children as I teach and share with them the most important part of the feast day... the life of heroic virtue that the celebrated saint really lived.

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  6. So cute! I know how we will be celebrating. I love the easy, don't need to plan ahead desserts.

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  7. Thank you for sharing this great idea, Charlotte! I look forward to trying it and grateful for the easy instructions;) God Bless you!

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  8. This was yummy but so rich! I need to make it in smaller glasses next go around.

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