Slvrthoughts and Musings

Description:
Erika was required to bring an Italian dessert to school on Monday and, of course, mommy to the rescue. I searched and searched the net for easy (enough) italian desserts to make and either it was too much work or I didn't have the ingredients or the ingredients were too expensive. Finally I came upon the panna cotta (which my daughter loves) and encountered several variations of this favorite italian dessert. As is my wont, I took 3 of the best panna cotta recipes I saw and I came up with my own. The product is sitting in my fridge now. Hope it turns out ok.

Ingredients:
Chocolate Panna Cotta

• 1 c. milk
• 1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin
• 3 c. whipped cream
• 1/3 c. honey
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• pinch of salt
• 3 tbsps. cocoa powder
• 6 tbsps. finely chopped dark chocolate

White Panna Cotta

• 1 c. milk
• 1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin
• 3 c. whipped cream
• 1/3 c. honey
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 6 tbsps. white chocolate, finely chopped (optional)
• pinch of salt

Topping - chopped or sliced fruits (like strawberries); or you can substitute a dollop of whipped cream with chocolate shavings.

Directions:
Chocolate Panna Cotta

1. Place the milk and gelatin in a bowl and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes to soften the gelatin.
2. Mix the cocoa powder and sugar in a saucepot. Whisk in whipped cream and place over medium heat. Add salt and honey to the mixture. Heat to simmer.
3. Remove from heat and add the chocolate. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
4. Add gelatin mixture. Heat and whisk constantly until the gelatin is completely dissolved (do not heat to a simmer).
5. Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher.
6. Pour 1/3 c. mixture into 10 wine glasses.
7. Refrigerate for about 3 hours or until set.

White Panna Cotta

1. After the chocolate panna cotta has set, start on the white panna cotta recipe by going through the same procedure as above but eliminating the chocolate ingredients. An alternative in this step is to substitute 6 tbsps. white chocolate to the dark chocolate.
2. Once you have strained the mix into the pitcher take our the wine glasses with the chocolate panna cotta and pour 1/3 c. of the white panna cotta over the dark one. This will form 2 layers.
3. Refrigerate for another 3 hours or until set.

Before serving spoon or arrange the fruits on top or garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. It is now ready to eat! Enjoy!