Wheat berry fools with grand marnier figs
Instructions:
- ¾ cup finely chopped dried figs, preferably Turkish or Greek;
- 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other good-quality orange-flavored liqueur;
- 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt;
- 4 tablespoons honey;
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest (about 2 oranges);
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon;
- 1 cup cooked soft whole wheat berries;
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled.
- Combine the figs and the liqueur in a small bowl and set aside to plump for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, while you prep the ingredients.
- Meanwhile, beat the yogurt with 2 tablespoons of the honey, 1 tablespoon of the orange zest, and the cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in the wheat berries. Using a hand mixer at medium speed, whip the cream in a medium bowl until foamy. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons honey and continue whipping until soft peaks form.
- Drain the figs, reserving their juices. Combine 2 tablespoons of the figs with the remaining 1 teaspoon zest in a small bowl and set aside for garnish. Stir the remaining figs into the bowl with the yogurt mixture. Scrape one-third of the whipped cream on top and fold in using a spatula. Fold in the remaining whipped cream in 2 additions until just incorporated. Divide among serving bowls, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 2 hours. To serve, top each bowl with a bit of the reserved figs and their juices.
- TO GET A HEAD START: The dessert can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead. Add a dash more liqueur to the figs reserved for the garnish, if necessary.
- TO LIGHTEN IT UP: You can use lowfat plain Greek yogurt, if you like.