Panna Cotta with Strawberries- Elegant and Easy

There’s not much to say about Panna Cotta, except that it is elegant, easy and it leaves you always wanting more. There are no eggs with this dessert- just milk, cream, sugar, vanilla flavoring and gelatine.

So the next time you want to ‘WOW’ your dinner guests, family or just yourself, think about whipping up Panna Cotta- preparation time is only about 15 minutes, but you will need at least 1.5 hours to let it set- if you do the ‘speedy’ freezer method (see below).

Basic Panna Cotta

• • Makes 5 servings
  • Preparation Time: 15 minutes
  • Setting time:  1.5 hours to 3 hours

Ingredients

• • 1 1/2 cups (375 mls)  thickened cream
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mls) milk
  • 1/2 cup (110 g) white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla essence
  • 3 teaspoons gelatine powder dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water
  • 6 – 7 sliced strawberries for topping

Strawberry Syrup (optional)

• • 1 cup strawberries sliced into quarters
  • 1/2 cup (110 g) white sugar
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) water

Directions

1. Combine cream, milk and sugar in a saucepan and stir for several minutes over medium-low heat. Add the vanilla to the pan.
2. Dissolve 3 tsp gelatine powder in 1/4 cup hot water- stir with fork until dissolved. Add this to the cream/milk mixture (from step #1) and stir over medium low heat for about 5 minutes until it starts to thicken.
3. Pour the mixture into 5 custard molds or ramekins, allow to cool slightly, then place in the freezer for about one hour until almost set. Then transfer to the fridge section for another 1/2 hour until completely set (you may find the panna cotta has completely set after 1 hour in the freezer). Alternatively, you can place the molds directly in the fridge, where it will take around 3 hours to set.
4. Remove molds from fridge and top with several sliced strawberries and a mint leaf for garnish.

To Serve with Strawberry Syrup (optional)

1. Slice 1 cup strawberries into quarters and place into a saucepan. Add the sugar and water and simmer over low heat for several minutes until the strawberries have turned into a liquidy ‘stew.’
2. Transfer mixture to an electric blender and blend for several minutes until smooth.
3. Cut around the edge of each panna cotta mold with a sharp knife in order to loosen the custard. Tip each mold upside-down onto a plate and top with the strawberry syrup and several sliced starwberries.

Tip: In order to release the panna cotta from the mold, place the bottom of each mold briefly into a bowl of hot water, before tipping it upside-down onto the plate.