Panna Cotta & Fresh Berry Experiment

I don’t know what possessed us to make panna cotta, as neither of us has ever even tried it. It actually turned out to be kind of a disaster. We’ve been super busy lately, so the cooking has been getting done pretty late. This means dessert-cooking starts even later. Anyways, I think it was around 9 that I finally got around to tackling this recipe. I got through everything and stuck those suckers in the fridge ASAP. We kept checking like every 30 minutes – we really wanted to give them a try! Well it was nearly midnight and they were not setting in the least. Oh well, maybe those 3 hours really were supposed to mean 5. . . Or maybe not. The next morning they looked just as liquidy as they had when we put them in. Bummer!

Since those berries are so darn expensive, we were determined to try again. The next night it wasn't until about 10 that I got to start on recipe number 2. I still gave them a check before bed & they were looking good! Surely enough, this batch was set by the morning. We were so excited, we had to have one for breakfast. After topping the little treats with our berry mixture (which thankfully we didn't have to remake), we dug in! And ewww! Huge disappointment! I don't know what they are supposed to taste like, but we sure didn't like the taste of these things. I'm not even really sure how to describe it, other than odd texture (which made me think of flan) and very sweet flavor. I am curious as to if this is how panna cotta is supposed to taste, or if we really just messed up x 2. Anyone ever had it or tried to make it? Anyways, you may be wondering why we're posting this creation since we weren't very pleased with the outcome. Well truthfully, it was so much effort (we even had to go out and buy some ramekins!) & those berries just had to be shown off :) And we wanted to warn you that panna cotta is not very good (well at least this version). We topped the little guys with Belgian butter waffle cookies. At least those were good! Incase you're curious, the recipe below is recipe #2 - so it does set if you are daring enough to try it!

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) coconut milk
• 8 packets Splenda (or other sucralose-based sugar substitute)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

TOPPING

• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Directions

1. Place water in small bowl and sprinkle with gelatin; set aside.
2. Place coconut milk, Splenda, powdered sugar and vanilla in medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat; stir to dissolve sugar and smooth out coconut milk. Do not boil. Add gelatin mixture; stir until gelatin is completely dissolved.
3. Pour coconut milk mixture evenly into four ramekins (aka. custard cups). Refrigerate about 3 hours or until set.
4. Meanwhile, combine berries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and mash berries. Store in refrigerator until panna cotta is ready.
5. To unmold panna cotta, run knife around outside edges of cups. Place cups in hot water about 30 seconds. Put serving plate over cup; invert and shake until panna cotta drops onto plate. Top each with the berry topping and any leftover berries. Refrigerate leftovers.