Panna Cotta

Last night's dessert was DELICIOUS! My husband and I had panna cotta for the first time a few months ago and I have been wanting to make it ever since. The recipe only made 6 ramekins, but I didn't double it because I was almost sure my kids wouldn't even want to try it. (Was I sure, or was I hoping?) Three of them decided they wanted to try it so I divided one ramekin into thirds (yes, I am THAT greedy) telling them, "I know you will hate this, I am sick that it is getting wasted." Well, they inhaled it and pronounced, "This tastes like wiggly vanilla ice cream!!! More! More! More!" So, being greedy, I divided another one into thirds!!! I know!! But in my defense, I had made a backup pan of brownies that they had all already eaten one of, so really, I was just limiting their sugar intake. (wink). One of my boys spent about an hour thinking of all the different things we could do to panna cotta ("lemon flavored, chocolate sauce, oh, I know Mom, BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE!") so I know that they really did love it and weren't just being silly. This is easy and delicious, it's a perfect summertime dessert.


 
Panna Cotta
Recipe from Allrecipes


Ingredients:

1/3 cup skim milk (I used 1%)
1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 1/2 cups heavy cream (I used half whipping cream and half half and half, that's what I had)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Pour milk into a small bowl, and stir in the gelatin powder. Set aside.

In a saucepan, stir together the heavy cream and sugar, and set over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, watching carefully, as the cream will quickly rise to the top of the pan. Pour the gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour into six individual ramekin dishes.

Cool the ramekins uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before serving.

Serve with fresh berries, chocolate sauce, use your imagination!