Saturday, May 22, 2010

Strawberry Panna Cotta - Pink Saturday



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...While local strawberries aren't ready to harvest, those in the supermarkets no longer taste like cardboard and can be used to make some passable desserts. Several years ago, I discovered fruit extracts that can be used to heighten the flavor of less than prime fruit. While I wouldn't use the berries that are currently available for short cake or a glacéd tart, they work perfectly well in desserts such as panna cotta, especially when given the flavor boosts a pure fruit extract can provide. I must admit that those of us who live in Oregon are spoiled by the quality of fruit that is available to us. While markets glorify huge strawberries, most folks never get to taste the small field berries that are available to us in season. Pure ambrosia! I like this version of panna cotta because it's made with buttermilk rather than heavy cream and it has a slight tang that makes it a pleasant way to end a meal. Panna cotta is one of the easiest of all desserts to make, but it needs time, a lot of time, to properly chill. Whenever possible, I make mine the night before I plan to serve it. While most recipes suggest than eight hours is a sufficient time for the gelatin to set, I've found twelve hours to be ideal. Once made, they can be kept for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. I like to serve these with macerated berries or a fruit compote to keep the dessert light. Here's the recipe.

Strawberry Panna Cotta...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, inspired by Gourmet magazine

Ingredients:
Panna Cotta
3 cups sliced strawberries (1 pound)
1-3/4 cups well-shaken low-fat buttermilk
6 tablespoons sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin, from less than 2 (1/4-oz) envelopes
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
Optional: 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
Fruit Compote
2-1/2 cups strawberries (preferably small; 3/4 lb), trimmed
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 teaspoons superfine granulated sugar

Directions:

1) To make panna cotta: Blend strawberries, buttermilk, and sugar in a blender until very smooth, then pour through a very fine sieve into a medium bowl, pressing hard on solids. Discard solids. Sprinkle gelatin over milk in a small bowl and let stand 1 minute to soften. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add gelatin mixture, stirring until dissolved. Whisk cream mixture into strawberry purée and pour into 6 (6-oz.) molds. Chill molds, covered, until firm, at least 8 hours. To unmold, dip molds in a small bowl of hot water 2 or 3 seconds, then invert panna cottas onto dessert plates and remove molds. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes to soften slightly.
2) To make fruit compote: Halve strawberries lengthwise if small or quarter if larger. Whisk together orange juice and superfine sugar in a bowl until sugar is dissolved and add strawberries, tossing to coat. Serve panna cottas with compote.
Yield:6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Pumpkin Panna Cotta - One Perfect Bite
Lemon Panna Cotta with Raspberry-Orange Sauce - The Recipe Girl
Toasted Almond Panna Cotta - Cooking for Seven

This post is being linked to:
Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

60 comments :

Charo said...

You always sharing so delicious recipies.

Happy Pink Saturday!
Hugs
Charo

MaryMoh said...

This is such a lovely, sexy panna cotta! The colour just blows me away. My hubby must learn to make this for me...haha. Have a lovely weekend. Mary

Jeannie said...

I love the pink look of this panna cotta and would be great if I could have some now! It's so hot here!

Sushma Mallya said...

Beautiful panna cotta,

Angie's Recipes said...

Nice pinky fruity creamy panna cotta!
Wish you a very Happy Pinky Saturday!
Angie

Diane said...

There are so many strawberries around at the moment that my mouth just waters and I can't eat them as I am allergic - never used to be - it isn't fair! Sob. Diane

Linda M said...

Welcome to Pink Saturday. That looks good.

Deana Sidney said...

Lovely recipe, Mary! I imagine the yogurt adds a lovely tang to the mix. I think panna cottas are fabulous!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Looks beautiful, Mary. I like the buttermilk idea. Have not heard of the fruit extract. Must search that out.

Allie and Pattie said...

Mary, I made panna cotta with macerated strawberries just yesterday, but now I'd really like to try this with buttermilk. I do remember the wild field strawberries in upstate NY, but have not yet found them here in NC
xoxo Pattie

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Oh Mary - your photo is breathtaking!

Thank you for the fruit extract link - I've been purchasing French Essence which is considerably more expensive. Next time I'll give these a try.

:)
ButterYum

Happy Pink Saturday

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Ahh interesting about fruit extracts! I can really see when they would come in handy! :)

pigpigscorner said...

I've never heard of fruit extracts! Thanks for the link!

Julie said...

Mary - Happy Pink Saturday!

Your panna cotta is beautiful! I've never made panna cotta before. I just purchased strawberries, I may give this one a try.

Carol at Serendipity said...

Mary,
This sounds wonderful. I like the idea of the buttermilk. Pretty!

Carol

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

LOVE this recipe. Maybe I'll give it a try!!!

Happy PS,
Jacalyn

Federica Simoni said...

una vera delizia!!! complimenti!!un abbraccio!ciao!

PeggyR said...

That looks delicious! Have a great Pink Saturday!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

A terrific make ahead summer cool dessert... a winner!

Rachel Cotterill said...

We get tiny wild strawberries in our garden - they taste amazing, but although we get quite a lot over the course of the summer, it's not enough to cook with. So we just eat them straight from the plant :)

Becky said...

Your panna cotta looks delicious! And I so agree with you about the small tasty strawberries. This year I planted two strawberry jars with Mara des bois, just so we can enjoy the flavour

My Pink Saturday contribution is a rose.

marye said...

YUM!
Adding this to my roundup today.

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Mary, I love Panna Cotta! Yours looks heavenly with the strawberries. I'm adding this to my "must make" list, as it would be a wonderful ending to a very hot day in the Southwest :o) Thanks for sharing!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

This looks delightful! I love strawberries and am so happy when Berry Season arrives!

Foley said...

looks amazing - so fresh and creamy! This is one that i must try - as soon as I can find some good strawberries - the last ones I purchased LOOKED good in the package but were so under ripe when I sliced them! So disappointing...taking them back to the grocery.
Congrats also on your publications - no one derserves it more!!

Martha said...

Perfect and pretty little dessert for pink Saturday, Have a wonderful weekend Mary :-)

Eliana said...

What an amazing looking dessert. Love the great color it gets from the compote.

Unknown said...

This looks yummy! Happy Pink Saturday!

Unknown said...

wow strawberry
one spoon is enjoy to taste it,
but for tasting this , we need 2 cups ,
ever lasting taste

nice post

Renée said...

A Perfectly Pink Presentation! Thanks for sharing your lovely recipe. I think it's something on the sweet side I can actually eat!

Heidi said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and the kind comments about my blog! I enjoy yours very much :)

Salsa Verde said...

I love strawberries and I love Panna Cotta, so, this is the perfect recipe!!
XXXX
Lia.

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I will have to hunt down these fruit extracts - that would come in handy. Last Sunday I picked up a basket of strawberries at a farm stand on Long Island. They were small, sweet and heavenly!

CC said...

As always Mary, this looks delicious.
I've been scrolling down and reading..the portabella mushroom burger, I just have try. I know I would just love it. Happ Pinks..have a great weekend.

San said...

Wish i had that strawberry panna cotta in my hands right away.

Iam impressed looking at the stunning dessert.

Gloria Baker said...

MAry your panacotta is absolutely georgeous and yummy!! blessings,gloria

theUngourmet said...

We are a bit spoiled here. This is such a lovely dessert and perfect for a Pink Saturday

Chef Dennis Littley said...

your absolutely right about the size of strawberries..the huge ones may look good but the absolutely decadence of flavour belongs to normal size berries....love your panacotta!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I still need to make my first panna cotta. This may just be the push I need!

Jennifer said...

Soooo pretty in pink! I have never used fruit extracts but am fully intrigued!! Have a blessed weekend!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I love panna cotta and these are so pretty.

tasteofbeirut said...

Mary
This pink panna cotta would be inhaled at my house! Except for the gelatin which I would replace with agar-agar, I love all the ingredients that you hav listed. A keeper for sure.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Your recipe sounds amazing - I have been wanting to try making a panna cotta - thanks for the recipe.

Lori said...

Oh Mary- that sounds like pure heaven and even better when local strawberries are in. I remember one time eating these teeny tiny strawberries in Nova Scotia. My cousin and I picked them when we were up there visiting. They were the tastiest strawberries I have ever had.

Amisha said...

Ooooh I love panna cotta! But I've only ever made vanilla. So now I have to try this recipe out.

Unknown said...

happy pink saturday

Kait said...

What a wonderful use of strawberries. I like that this can be made a day ahead of time.

Devaki said...

What a wonderful celebration of the season with a fresh strawberry panna cota. Wonderful!

Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

Deb in Hawaii said...

Beautiful panna cotta--it's one of my very favorite desserts. I miss Oregon berries. ;-)

Unknown said...

ohhh wow that looks wonderful!!!! just amazing

Mary Bergfeld said...

Jeannie, I hope the weather breaks for you soon. Intense heat can be very hard to deal with. Blessings...Mary

Laurie said...

Your recipes look divine Mary!

Have a great day :)
Laurie

Laurie said...

Your recipes look wonderful Mary, thank you for sharing them!!

Have a great day :)
Laurie

RecipeGirl said...

Looks delicious! Thanks for the mention :)

Ciao Chow Linda said...

What a great idea to use buttermilk instead of cream. This is one panna cotta I've got to try.

Claudia said...

Panna cotta is just a palette for different flavors. Loving the buttermilk in it. And it does indeed dressup so pretty in pink.

Juliana said...

Oh Mary, I love panna cotta, but never had this version with strawberries, sounds and looks so yummie, creamy and fruity, it is a must try :-)

Unknown said...

Your Panna cotta is so pretty and perfect! Thank you for the very thoughtful and kind comments for my blog. I really look forward to reading more of your recipes, they are fantastic!

Beverly said...

Happy Pink Saturday, Mary. Here it is Wednesday, and I have finally made it here for a visit.

But, I am probably too late for this delightful panna cotta. Oh, does it look delicious.

I am petitioning to be your neighbor - the one you love and adore - and feed.

The problem is I am not nearly so talented as you. So, I hope you will accept love and admiration in return.

Megan said...

I love Panna Cotta but have never tried a buttermilk version! SU'ed!

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