Vanilla Panna Cotta

The one thing i always look forward to about an Italian Restaurant is the dessert. For years, I've been going to my local Italian Rossinis (which i would highly recommend) and always always without fail would order the Panna Cotta.  The light and creamy vanilla taste just ends the meal so well. So as it is obvious, I tried making my very own! 

                                                               Vanilla Panna Cotta

Ingredients:


-250ml milk

-250ml double cream

-1 vanilla pod split lengthways, seeds scraped out (but keep them!)

-25g sugar

Coulis:

-100g frozen berries

-1 Tbsp caster sugar

- 50ml of water

Decoration:

-Strawberries

-Blackberries

-Icing sugar

Serving suggestion:

~ I used tall cocktail glasses as they were simple but effective.

Other methods : Shot glasses,wine glass, champagne flute, espresso cups, small jars.

~Since Panna Cotta is made from gelatine, it can be placed into a mold and will hold its shape when it has set.  

Panna Cotta:

Step 1 - I started off by soaking the gelatine leaves in water

Step 2 - Cut the vanilla pod horizontally, scraping out the seeds but keep them! (this is where all the flavor is at!). 

Step 3 - Add milk,cream, sugar, vanilla pod and seeds to a saucepan and bring to simmer. Remove vanilla pod and discard.

Step 4 -Squeeze the water from the gelatine leaves then add to the sauce pan. Turn off the heat and stir until gelatine dissolves

Step 5 - I then divided the mixture into tall cocktail glasses and placed in the fridge to set.

Coulis:

Step 6 - Add the frozen berries, sugar and water to a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to simmer and cook until berries are soft. 

Step 7 - To get that liquid texture, mash the berries then press through a sieve.

                                                Blackberries picked and used for decoration 

Step 8 - Serve Panna Cotta when firmly set. Decorate with coulis and berries. Sprinkle with icing sugar.