Staying cool, refreshed and healthy through the summer months has been fairly easy as I’ve been sticking with lassis, smoothies and yogurt parfaits for breakfast. Layer them any which way you want as long as you have 3 main components: 1) a creamy base, dairy or plant, e.g., coconut milk, dairy free yogurt, regular yogurt, 2) fruits, either fresh or preserves, or both and 3) either seeds like chia or basil and/or something crunchy like granola or crushed cookies. Everything can be layered the night before or at least 2 hours prior to eating (except fresh bananas, if using). I tend to make the parfait around 7 am and eat it around 10 am or 11 am.

I like to use a combination of basil and chia seeds as they both are dense in nutrients and additionally, basil seeds are cooling and used extensively in Asia in summer. You don’t need to pre-soak the seeds as they get soaked with the drips from the yogurt and jam.

Use any fruit jam or jelly as a sweetener or drizzle some honey on the fresh fruit. I tend to use a home made fruit jam (check these easy recipes here apricot mango or strawberry compote) and seasonal fresh fruits.

You can use plain oats instead of granola and add some raisins and nuts to it. You can also use crushed cookies like Nilla wafers, Marie, Parle-G, Ginger Snaps, etc. as a top layer instead of granola.

Step by Step

1. Start by taking a clean glass bowl or wide mouth jar and add the following:
   • 1 tsp basil seeds and 1 tsp chia seeds at the bottom.
   • 1/2 cup yogurt (plain, vanilla or any other flavor)
   • 1/4 cup granola or oats with raisins and nuts (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, etc.)
   • 1/4 cup fruit jam or jelly
   • 1 cup any fresh fruit, chopped (banana, mango, strawberries here)
2. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
3. Serve chilled for breakfast, snack or dessert.

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