Recipe: Panna Cotta

Try this classic recipe of a traditional Italian dessert. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Panna Cotta

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup skim milk
  • 1 packet unflavored gelatin (.28oz )
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • red food coloring (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat the heavy cream and sugar in a saucepan. Once it comes to a boil and the sugar is dissolved remove from heat and add the vanilla.
  2. In a separate bowl whisk the gelatin and skim milk together until it is dissolved.
  3. Pour the gelatin and skim milk mixture over the warm Panna Cotta mixture and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
  4. Add the red food coloring one drop at a time while whisking until you have a bright pink color. (pink color should be accomplished with 2-3 drops.)
  5. Lightly oil four 8 oz. ramekins (or similar vessels)
  6. Divide the Panna Cotta mixture into the ramekins and refrigerate for at least 4 hours ( preferably overnight)
  7. Once the Panna Cotta has settled run a sharp knife around the edge of each Panna Cotta. Dip the ramekins in a hot bath for 15-20 seconds and you are ready to unfold it into the serving plate.

If you don’t have the time to plate the Panna Cotta you may pour the mixture into a wine goblet or a glass container to serve them without unfolding.

 

Sauce

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. corn starch
  • 1/4 cup cold water

Directions

  1. Use a blender to mix frozen strawberries and sugar together and heat the mixture in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved.
  2. In a separate bowl whisk the corn starch and cold water together until it is dissolved.
  3. Pour the corn starch and water mixture over the warm strawberry sauce and stir until it is completely dissolved.
  4. Strain your mixture to remove any seeds and refrigerate.

 

Shushan Darzian is the founder and owner of Ladybugs Catering & Events. Her passion for food, presentation and exquisite detail drive her mission to provide outstanding service for her clients. As a former educator, she is committed to life-longing learning and loves to travel. She resides in Southern California with her husband and two sons.