Panna Cotta

Panna cotta was always a dessert that I thought I couldn't make.  I thought it was above me.  I thought only those trained in the culinary arts would be able to master such a dessert.  Boy, was I wrong!  It turns out it is one of the easiest desserts I've ever made!  If you really want to impress someone, break out this recipe!

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup whole milk
1 vanilla bean
1/2 cup sugar

Begin by cutting the vanilla bean in two and scraping the seeds in the heavy cream.  Throw the vanilla pod in the cream as well. Heat that until just before boiling and remove from heat.  Allow to sit for 30 minutes so that the vanilla flavor infuses the cream.

Remove the vanilla pod.  Turn on medium heat.  Add the sugar, gelatin, and milk.  Allow that to boil slightly, stirring constantly so that the cream doesn't burn.  Remove from heat and put into individual custard bowls.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

When you are ready to serve, take a spatula and run it around the edges to help loosen the custard.  I served my panna cotta with macerated cherries.

Mom said panna cotta was her favorite dessert and she loved it!  If only Alex Guarnaschelli could see me now!

Mangia!