Tag Archives: strawberry banana

Less Than 5: Strawberry Banana Yogurt Parfait

 

As we enter fresh berry season, many rejoice. The sweet, juicy taste of summer is hidden in the rounded flesh of raspberries, the soft skin of blueberries, and the bold redness of strawberries. There is nothing quite like a handful of fresh berries from the farmer’s market, or picked yourself, right off the bush.

Once you get tired of stuffing berries by the handful into your mouth (if is a better word…) you can then try several other delightful ways to enjoy them, including adding frozen or fresh berries to smoothies, making crepes or pancakes, or in desserts like blackberry pie or raspberry crumble.

For versatility alone, I love berry parfaits. They make a great breakfast, or mid-afternoon or post-workout snack. I’ve written before about my raspberry and honey yogurt parfait, and this is another variation.

Strawberry & banana are two flavors that just complement each other well, so it is only natural to pair them together here with crunchy granola, protein packed yogurt, and healthy cinnamon spice. And the best part is that you can enjoy a healthy parfait year-round! Frozen berries work just as well here, and are great for making overnight and refrigerating. By morning it is soft and ready to go.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 banana, sliced
  • 1/4 cup granola
  • Sprinkle of cinnamon
  • Optional: 1 tsp sugar

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Step 1: Put the yogurt in a small bowl. I have a mini snack-sized one I use often, it’s just the right amount.

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Step 2: Layer the berries, banana slices, and granola. Sprinkle the cinnamon on top and enjoy! You could use any type of berries here, and can change up the yogurt to use a flavored one if you like.

 

Strawberry Banana Crepes

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I have always thought crepes were hard to make, so never tried it. But when my little sister took French and crepes became a common breakfast at my house, I saw that they were just as easy as pancakes, if not easier. You don’t even need a fancy crepe making machine, a regular frying pan will do.

So when I was searching breakfast recipes and found one for a smaller batch of crepes, I decided to try it. Not sure where I got the recipe from though, sorry. But it made 4 crepes, which is perfect for 2 breakfasts.

They also freeze well I hear, so if you wanted you could make a larger batch and freeze some. I had some left over strawberries and a banana that was turning brown, so strawberry banana filling was the best choice.

Crepe batter:
1/2 c flour
1 egg
3/4 c milk
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter

Filling:
4 Strawberries
1 tbsp strawberry jam
4 marshmallows
2 tbsp butter
4 tbsp cream cheese
1 banana, sliced

Step 1: Mix all the batter ingredients together. Mixing it in a large measuring cup is a good idea to make pouring easier. Then melt 1 tbsp butter in a frying pan, and pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the frying pan.

Step 2: Cook for about 5 minutes, the batter will start to bubble, and the bottom turns golden brown. To flip, use a spatula or get fancy and use your wrist to flip the crepe in the pan. Cook the other side until golden brown as well.

Step 3: For the filling, melt the butter in a smaller pan. Add the cut whole strawberries and cook a few minutes until soft. Add the cream cheese, strawberry jam, and marshmallows. Cook until everything is melted together.

Step 4: Take one crepe, fill it with the strawberry filling and banana slices. Wrap it up on both sides, and top with strawberry and banana slices. I drizzled chocolate syrup and maple syrup on top!

You can fill crepes with just about anything. I think of it as a breakfast food, but there are recipes that stuff it with veggies, meats, salads, all kinds of things. It can be used in lunch, dinner, or snacks. Just get creative!