By the end of winter, I’m ready for a trip to the tropics. Even after a freakishly mild winter such as the one we had this year, I just need a little Calgon-take-me-away time to recover from the days of darkness. Unfortunately, with work deadlines sprouting up like
crocuses, I barely have time to make it to the grocery store, let alone a Caribbean island. So I compensate by celebrating the flavors of the tropics whenever I can. Coconut, pineapple, mango, banana and passion fruit all find their way into my desserts in winter and early
spring. Here’s a simple parfait that combines the flavors of one of my favorite drinks, the Pinã Colada. On the bottom is a layer caramelized fresh pineapple, topped with a rich coconut cream, with a layer of crumbled ginger biscuits in between, adding some texture
and crunch. I like this dessert because it’s so easy to prepare, yet so delicious. It’s a perfect balance of refreshing and rich, a trip to the tropics without the hassle of going through security, or, worse yet, putting on a bathing suit.
