Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta is a simple Italian dessert made with thickened cream and flavored here with vanilla bean.

This is the most simple dessert to prepare, only taking a few minutes of hands on time, and it uses hardly any ingredients. 

If you're looking for a dessert with a wonderfully light melt in the mouth texture, then panna cotta is for you.

It tastes great just on it's own but even better when topped with raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries.

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

Serves 4

2 tsp gelatine powder and 1 Tbsp warm water OR gelatine leaves (following package directions)
1 Cup cream
1 Cup milk
30 g sugar
1 vanilla pod, split lengthways

1. Either stand the gelatine powder in the warm water or soak in gelatine leaves in cold water following the package directions. Set aside.

2. Place the cream, milk, sugar, and split vanilla pod into a saucepan and bring to a very gentle simmer over a low heat, until the sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly.

3. When the mixture is just starting to simmer (small bubbles appear around the edges), remove from the heat and dissolve the gelatine into the warm mixture. Stand the mixture for a while to cool.

4. Pour the slightly cool mixture between 4 ramekins or serving glasses and refrigerate until set (at least a few hours, e.g., 4).

5. Remove from the refrigerator 5 minutes before serving and turn out onto plates. Top with berries and berry sauce.