Raspberry and Mascarpone Parfait

• Scrape out the vanilla pod. Set aside a pinch of vanilla pulp. Place the milk, whipping cream, salt, remaining vanilla pulp and the scraped vanilla pod in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Then remove from the heat.
• In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is pale yellow.
• Pour the egg and sugar mixture into the hot milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. The sauce should be thick enough to cover a spoon after dipping. Transfer the sauce and chill.

• Puree the raspberries with the egg yolks, icing sugar, salt, a pinch of vanilla pulp and lemon juice using a hand blender.
• Add the mascarpone and purée again.
• The parfait can be served immediately. If you would like the parfait to be ice cold and a little firmer, place it in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours.

• Use a dessert ring for precision and perfect presentation. Pour the parfait into the ring and then remove the ring.
• Place cold parfait on a plate, place fresh raspberries on top of the parfait, dust with icing sugar, serve with vanilla custard. 

Tip:

• Frozen berries are better for the parfait, as the mousse is immediately cold. Reduce or increase the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of the fruit.
  Any other berries or fruits can be used instead of raspberries.
• The parfait can be refined with rum, Grand Marnier or a liqueur.
• If you have guests, you can fill the parfait into dessert rings and freeze for a few hours. Allow to defrost before serving.
• The parfait is not suitable for long freezing. Without a special sugar (like glucose), ice crystals will form during freezing.

You can find impressions in the picture gallery: