It was a fun challenge to develop a recipe inspired by Caroline Leavitt’s latest novel, With or Without You. This strawberry sensory parfait is inspired by the protagonist Maggie’s experience in and after a coma, where all her senses have gone haywire. Tastes are deepened. Smells are overpowering. Everything is too much and at the same time she wants more. As Leavitt mentioned strawberries twice in her descriptions, I used that as my starting point. (Watch her read a short passage below.) I also took cues from a scene when Maggie has come home and her mother and boyfriend offer to prepare loads of healthy foods for her, foods she used to love, and all she wants is a greasy burger and fries and a milkshake.
The strawberry sensory parfait builds on this character’s experience, pairing ingredients that don’t necessarily go together and amping up the flavor of everything. I used whole milk Greek yogurt (the rich milkshake she craves), fresh strawberries, thinly sliced almonds for crunch, a light sprinkle of cilantro—which seems like it should be totally wrong but completely works—freeze-dried strawberries crushed into a powder (to heighten the strawberry flavor), a drizzle of balsamic glaze (a sweet and sour umani kick), and crushed potato chips on top for texture and to mimic the greasy fries. You can see both our reactions in the video below. Try it and let me know what you think!
This dish would also be a fantastic choice for a mindful eating experience.
I chose this novel because it’s beautifully plotted. I loved the three main characters, all in their forties, and the challenges they face with Maggie’s coma. Leavitt conducts deep research before she begins writing so it’s completely grounded in neuroscience and that makes the setting and details rich and believable.
Taste preview: Like nothing you’ve ever had before: rich and tangy from the yogurt, sweet and slightly acidic from the strawberries and balsamic glaze, a pop of herby brightness from the cilantro, and crunchy and salty from the potato chips.
Required FTC disclosure: I received two review copies from the publisher for the show. This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive a pittance from Amazon if you purchase through my link.
Strawberry sensory parfait
Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt whole milk Greek-style
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp almonds blanched or thinly sliced/toasted
- 1 tbsp cilantro if cilantro tastes like soap to you, swap basil
- 1 tbsp freeze-dried strawberries crushed or powdered
- 1 tbsp potato chips crushed into a topping
- 2 tsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
- In a parfait glass or bowl, layer half of the yogurt, half of the fresh strawberries, half of the almonds, and a sprinkle of cilantro.
- Add the rest of the yogurt, the remaining strawberries and almonds, and the rest of the cilantro. Top with the crushed or powdered freeze-dried strawberries, the crushed potato chips, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Eat immediately so the potato chips don't get soggy.
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