geek

Panna cotta with caramel sauce

I’ve always adored panna cotta. I know there are those who say it is too bland, others claim that it’s culinary star is tarnished and out-of-date. Could that be because it is so simple, straightforward, and pleasing to the cook and the diner? At any rate I pfftt the naysayers! Yes, pfftt is a legitimate sentiment…not quite as girly as pooh pooh…think Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher in Young Frankenstein.

Ok…back to the panna cotta…I added caramel sauce because all the gentlemen in this house are really into caramel. Did you notice the lovely cardamom sable sitting there on the side looking up so coyly? She certainly matched up nicely with the panna cotta and caramel…a lush dessert, so decadent all in one bite!

The caramel sauce comes from Elise Bauer at Simply Recipes. It’s an easy and perfect accompaniment to not only panna cotta but also ice cream. The sables are adapted from Dorie Greenspan’s book Baking From My Home to Your’s. My simple adaptation was adding a teaspoon of ground cardamom. It added a nice bite but I think I might use ground pepper the next time.

Vanilla Panna Cotta
Adapted from Butter, Sugar, Flour, Eggs by Gale Gand, Rick Tramonto, Julia Moskin

3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon powdered gelatin
4 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar

In a small bowl, combine the water and gelatin and let soak about 10 minutes (do not stir).

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat the cream and sugar to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. As soon as it simmers, turn off the heat and add the gelatin mixture, stirring to dissolve the gelatin. If the gelatin doesn’t completely dissolve in 3 minutes, return the mixture to the heat and warm gently until dissolved. Add the vanilla. Pour the mixture into 6 to 8 ramekins or dessert cups. Chill, uncovered for 2 hours. If you wish to chill them longer you can cover them with saran wrap after they’ve chilled down.

To serve simply dip the cups in hot water for 10 seconds or so, then run a knife around the edge. Invert onto a plate, nap with the caramel, and nestle the sable in. Your guests will be impressed and you’ll know how easy it is.

printer-friendly version

June 7, 2007 | Filed Under Local, baking, cookbook, eggs, cheese, dairy, food, quick and easy, recipe, sweets 

comments

11 Responses to “Panna cotta with caramel sauce”

  1. Lydia on June 8th, 2007

    My husband has been baking his way through Dorie’s book and made those same sables — they were delicious. Love the panna cotta with the caramel swirl — an elegant dessert.

  2. brilynn on June 8th, 2007

    The caramel drizzle is perfect! I’ve never made panna cotta.

  3. Julie on June 8th, 2007

    Love panna cotta, this one looks delicious.

  4. Marye on June 8th, 2007

    wow..that looks…magnificent.
    Your pffft reminds me of Judy Dench in the move, Chocolat.
    :)

  5. Dilip on June 8th, 2007

    Great Panna Cotta…looks great…I recently posted a too…I love this dessert…thanks for sharing

  6. Katiez on June 8th, 2007

    Everything looks delicious - except the caramel sauce….that looks like something one could commit serious infractions for (one must use careful wording on the internet - so I’m told)

  7. MadLisa on June 8th, 2007

    Yum! I love panna cotta! A friend made some recently with a blackberry sauce plus fresh blackberries–divine. But my husband makes a great caramel, so we should try this.

  8. Scott at Realepicurean on June 10th, 2007

    Panna Cotta is one of my wife’s favourite deserts. Great timing with the recipe!

    Oh, and great new look to the site!

  9. vanessa on June 10th, 2007

    Lydia, lucky you to have a baking husband.

    Brilynn, the caramel may have put it over the top.

    Julie, thank you.

    Marye, I love that movie and the book.

    Dilip, thanks for the comments.

    Katiez, the leftover caramel sits in the fridge tempting me everyday. I’m not sure about the careful wording…I know I rarely watch what I say!

    MadLisa, fresh blackberries would definitely get my vote!

    Scott, good to hear from you. Thanks for the compliment!

  10. Doug on June 11th, 2007

    Simple, dairy based desserts are among my favorites. I am a big fan of caramel - I enjoy it dark, just as pictured.

  11. Julie on June 12th, 2007

    I love panna cotta and I think it’s a perfect summer dessert because there’s no oven involved and only minimal stovetop time.

Leave a Reply