Red Rose Petal Parfaits

If there is anything more romantic than a red rose, I simply don't know what it could be. We have a large red rose bush in our backyard that is so visually stunning, it seems almost dreamlike.


And when the roses begin to come into full bloom, I can't resist cutting one and placing it in a small vase in my bedroom.


I've learned that I must place my rose somewhere out of Thelonious's reach or else he will eat it, as he is so shamelessly demonstrating with this pink rose. (Can't say that I blame him!)


I love painting roses, whether on glass or paper. I even sport a rose tattoo, (which I won't reveal here).



I find the fragrance of a rose as intoxicating as lavender, and its flavor as sublime. So what could make a more romantic Valentine's Day dessert than one which captures the essence of red roses? I had all the ingredients necessary to put something incredibly sweet and delicious together, and came up with this idea: Red Rose Petal Parfaits!


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups evaporated cane crystals
1 cup of Organic Red Roses (I buy them from Mountain Rose Herbs.)
1 cup water
1 pint Purely Decadent Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Ice Cream

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan, and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes, until syrup has thickened. Remove from heat, and when cooled, strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Pour syrup into a squeeze bottle and place candied rose petals into a container with a tight-fitting lid. When ready to serve, alternate 2 scoops of ice cream with rose petal syrup in two parfait glasses. Top each with a few candied rose petals. Refrigerate remaining syrup and candied rose petals for up to two weeks. Candied rose petals can be enjoyed as a sweet treat, just like candy, and the syrup is divine on crackers or English muffins!

Viewed from above, you can really see the lovely candied rose petals.


I hope you'll enjoy these on Valentine's Day with your sweetheart.