Panna Cotta is a refined and simple Italian dessert that means ‘cooked cream’. This is because it has a soft, smooth texture, making it suitable for consumption anytime. Today, in harmony with the old and new, we are giving you a panna cotta with vanilla and strawberry to dance with your taste buds.
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Well, in this post let me show and guide you on how to make this lovely dessert, a step-by-step procedure. Moreover, I will prepare a few recommendations regarding how you can adjust it to your preferences. Regardless of how many meals you have cooked, or how many dishes you have prepared, you will find this recipe very easy and very fulfilling.
What Is Panna Cotta?
The pana cotta is an Italian dessert obtained from cream thickened with gelatin and sweetened. It primarily uses vanilla extract, but because this is a flexible type of dessert, there’s a wide variety of other flavors, toppings, and side dishes available.
It is not as heavy as cheesecake yet not as fluffy as a mousse, which makes pana cotta exactly what kind of dessert it is. To my surprise despite its firmness, it can easily disintegrate in your mouth with each scoop in the spoon. This recipe just adds the twist of strawberry flavor to the panna cotta base making it perfect for summertime.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Vanilla Panna Cotta
Simple to make: Using only a few ingredients, you can prepare a dessert that will look like you spend a lot of time preparing it.
Elegant presentation: It is best eaten in wine or cocktail glasses, individual ramekins, or, for a more elegant dinner party, unmolded.
Customizable: If you wish, you may jazz up the recipe with an assortment of fruits or extracts or even a touch of liqueur.
Make ahead: Serve it at dinner parties since it can be prepared in advance and therefore leaves you with time for your guests.
Now, let’s go to the part why you came here: the recipe!
How to Make Strawberry Vanilla Panna Cotta
Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
1 envelope (about 1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
For the Strawberry Sauce:
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (or frozen, thawed)
2 tablespoons sugar (to taste)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
Step-by-Step Directions
Preparation of the Gelatin Step 1
Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl and let sit for about 5 minutes. This will allow the gelatin to ‘bloom’ and dissolve more evenly.
Step 2
Heat the cream.
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, and sugar. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm but not boiling. You want the cream hot enough to dissolve the gelatin, not so hot that it scorches.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Gelatin
Remove the cream mixture from the heat. Add the vanilla extract, or for a more intense flavor, the paste.
Add the bloomed gelatin to the piping hot cream and whisk until dissolved.
Step 4: Pour into Molds
Pour the mixture into 4-6 small ramekins, cups, or glasses. Let the panna cotta cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or until set.
Step 5: Strawberry Sauce
While pana cotta is chilling, make the strawberry sauce. Combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; decrease the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat; let cool completely. The chunky texture is fine, or you can puree it for a smooth consistency.
Step 6: Serve
Once set, top each serving with the strawberry sauce and finish it with fresh strawberries or mint leaves, for added color and freshness.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Panna Cotta
It’s very important to bloom the gelatin properly. If that is not done, it could form lumps in the panna cotta, which destroys the texture of this perfect dessert.
Meaning, that temperature has importance: When adding gelatin, you want to add to the hot but not boiling cream mixture as this can mean a divergence in the texture of your final dessert.
Unmolding the panna cotta: To unmold the panna cotta, lightly oil the molds with a neutral-flavored oil. Then, dip the ramekins briefly in warm water and invert them onto a plate.
Make it fancy: Replace the strawberries with other fruits, such as raspberries, mangoes, or peaches. For an adult take on the dessert, add a liqueur flavor to the sauce.
1. Can I make panna cotta without gelatin?
Yes, there are gelatin-free versions of panna cotta that use agar-agar, a plant-based gelatin alternative. However, the texture will be slightly different.
2. How long can panna cotta last in the fridge?
Panna cotta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it a great make-ahead dessert. Just keep it covered to avoid absorbing any unwanted odors from other foods.
3. Can I freeze panna cotta?
While it’s not ideal to freeze panna cotta because the texture can become grainy after thawing, you can freeze it in an airtight container if needed. Be sure to thaw it slowly in the fridge before serving.
4. What’s the best way to serve panna cotta?
Panna cotta can be served directly in the dish you made it in or unmolded onto a plate. Top it with fresh fruit, compote, or even chocolate shavings for an extra indulgent treat.
5. What can I use if I don’t have ramekins?
You can use small glasses, teacups, or even mason jars if you don’t have ramekins. Just make sure they are heat-safe and the correct size for serving.
How to Customize Your Panna Cotta
But vanilla and strawberry is a pretty classic combination. And besides, that’s the beauty of panna cotta: endless opportunities for personalizing to taste or the season at hand. Here are a few ideas.
Citrus Panna Cotta: Lemon or orange zest infuse a bright, zesty flavor into the cream mixture.
Chocolate Panna Cotta: Melt in some dark chocolate to the cream mixture for a luxurious dessert.
Herb-infused panna cotta: Infuse the cream with herbs such as basil, mint, or rosemary for a unique and sophisticated flavor twist.
Tropical Panna Cotta: Use mango or passionfruit instead of strawberries for a tropical twist.
