Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Buttermilk Panna Cotta


I've recently received a dessert book as a bride to be gift called, "Meitte - By:  Meg Ray."  Thanks to my friend TC, I've been looking forward to buying this book as part of my collection.  When I flipped through it, I already fell in love with the pretty scalloped pages on the edge.  Also, many of Meg Ray's recipes are using a size 6" cake pan.  Size 6"-8" cakes are ideal for me, I look forward to experimenting with this book!

The first recipe I wanted to try was the Buttermilk Panna Cotta.  Why, may you ask?  Well, first of all, I have a carton of buttermilk that is about to expire and second of all, I have a box of strawberries that are going to go bad soon if I don't use them.  I love panna cotta, it's like a creamy jello but I think adding buttermilk may give this panna cotta a tang to the dessert.  I hope you'll enjoy this as much as I did.  Tastes like a greek yogurt with fruits but with a smoother texture.


Panna Cotta
Recipe Book:  Miette 
By:  Meg Ray
Yield: 12 (2oz) Cups/ 6 (4oz) Cups

Ingredients:
1/3 Cups - Heavy Cream
1tsp (1/2 Packet) - Gelatin (When I add 1 tsp, it seems as the gelatin didn't set as firm as I like it to be, if you like it firmer, try adding an extra 1 tsp.  I think the whole shifting process remove some of the gelatin too)
1 2/3 Cups - Heavy Cream
1/3 Cups - Granulate Sugar
1 - Vanilla Bean or 2 tsp - Vanilla Extract
2 Cups, 2 Tbsp - Buttermilk
Diced Strawberries, for garnish

Procedure:
1.  Place 1/3 Cup of heavy cream and 1 tsp of gelatin and bloom for 10 minutes.
2.  Place 1 2/3 Cup of heavy cream, sugar, vanilla bean and bring to a boil.
3.   Turn off stove, add the bloomed gelatin & cream mixture to the pot and stir.  
4.  Add Buttermilk and whisk until combined.
5.  Place mixture through a medium sieved and poured into your desired mold.
6.  Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
7.  Top the buttermilk panna cotta with strawberries or any other fruits that is seasonal.