Tasty Italian Dessert Panna Cotta – (Cooked Milk)

Panna Cotta is a molded, chilled dessert favored throughout Italy, easy to make and delicious. It can be made in advance and especially delicious with a red raspberry dressing on top.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 ½ tsps + 1/8 tsp plain gelatin
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 vanilla bean or vanilla extract
• 6 tbs sugar
• pinch of salt

METHOD

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over the milk in a medium saucepan and let sit until the gelatins softens, about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl halfway with ice water.
3. Place cream in a 4-cup measuring cup.
4. Cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Using tip of paring knife, scrape out seeds.
5. Add vanilla bean and seeds to cream and set aside.
6. Set 8 4-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet.
7. Heat milk and gelatin mixture over high heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is dissolved and the mixture registers 135º, about 1 ½ – 2 minutes.
8. Off heat, add sugar and salt and stir until dissolved.
9. Stirring constantly, slowly pour cream mixture into milk mixture, the transfer to medium bowl and set over the bowl of ice water.
10. Stir frequently until slightly thickened and mixture registers 50º. This will take about 10 minutes.
11. Strain mixture into 8-cup liquid measuring cup and then distribute evenly among the ramekins.
12. Wrap baking sheet in plastic wrap but do not let the plastic touch the surface of the cream.
13. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 12 hours.
14. To unmold, fill a small bowl with boiling water. Dip the ramekin into the water for 3 seconds. Loosen the edges of the panna cotta. Dip again and invert onto serving plate with a ridge.

Buon Mangiati!