Derelict Strait Parfait
Based on:
TypeDessert
Serves4 people
DateOctober 11, 2026
Sharp-sour parfait bars as a derelict cargo ship, with lemon meringue strike and red coulis as a threatening sea.
Long, sharply sour parfait bars form a derelict cargo ship drifting diagonally on a mirror of red coulis. The stern is visibly 'hit' with a bright lemon meringue. This dessert plays with tension: sharp, fresh and unexpectedly tart, like a ship losing course in a dangerous strait.
Ingredients
- 4 lemons (juice and zest)
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 200 ml full-fat yogurt
- 100 g sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 75 g powdered sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
- 200 g raspberries
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 4 ladyfingers
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Line a small loaf tin with plastic wrap.
- Whip the cream with 50 g sugar and the vanilla seeds until stiff.
- Mix the yogurt with the juice and zest of 2 lemons.
- Fold the whipped cream into the yogurt mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the tin and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Meanwhile, make the raspberry coulis: puree the raspberries with 50 g sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice, strain and chill.
- Whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff, gradually add the powdered sugar and continue whipping to stiff peaks.
- Mix 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp cornstarch into the meringue for extra freshness.
- Spoon the meringue into a piping bag.
- Cut the parfait into 4 long bars.
- On each plate, spread a mirror of raspberry coulis.
- Place a ladyfinger diagonally in the coulis as the ship's keel.
- Lay the parfait bar diagonally on the ladyfinger, like a ship off course.
- Pipe a generous tuft of lemon meringue on the stern as a 'strike'.
- Briefly torch the meringue for extra tension.
Serving notes
- Serve straight from the freezer for a cold, sharp sensation.
- Optionally sprinkle extra lemon zest over the meringue for added sharpness.
- Let the ladyfinger partially 'sink' into the coulis for a derelict effect.