I'm having some friends over this weekend and they always ask for this parfait to be eaten at sometime in the day. It's very rich, so we designate a tea time and I bring out my fancy tea service and we slowly consume this Chocolate Parfait. This is 138 calories per serving so I make it a really high point of the day.

Is it healthy? Well, it has two of the "Super Power Foods" everyone is talking about: Walnuts and dark cocoa.

With all the talk about the healthy side of dark chocolate, be sure to not use Dutch Cocoa powder, that isn't the healthy dark cocoa.


Banana Chocolate Parfaits
(makes 4 servings)



1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 0.8-ounce box sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
2 medium bananas, peeled
1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup reduced-fat frozen dairy whipped topping
unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
4 fresh Bing cherries with stems for garnish (optional)

In a food processor or blender, combine yogurt and pudding mix until smooth.

Cut each banana into 6 pieces. Sprinkle with lemon juice

Place 2 banana quarters in each of 4 fancy dessert parfait glasses or goblets. Top with 1/4 of the pudding mix. Top each with 1 tablespoon whipped topping.

Using a fine sieve, sift a little cocoa powder on top of each serving.

Sprinkle with walnuts and add a cherry on top, if using.

Classy!