Panna Cotta With Roasted Figs And Balsamic Food

PANNA COTTA WITH ROASTED FIGS AND BALSAMIC

Steps:

• In a small bowl, submerse the gelatin sheets in cool water to soften.
• In a small saucepan combine the cream and 1 cup sugar. Slit the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds. Add the seeds and the hull of the vanilla bean to the saucepan. Whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and turn off immediately. Remove the softened gelatin sheets from the cool water and whisk into the hot cream mixture. Remove and discard the vanilla bean. Pour immediately into serving dishes and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the figs together with the remaining sugar and balsamic. Let macerate for about 15 minutes. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the figs are soft and the sugar and balsamic have started to caramelize on the figs.
• Top the panna cotta with the roasted figs.

PANNA COTTA WITH BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on 1 1/2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to dissolve.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of the cream, the yogurt, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean seeds. Heat the remaining 3/4 cup of cream and the 1/3 cup of sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Off the heat, add the softened gelatin to the hot cream and stir to dissolve. Pour the hot cream-gelatin mixture into the cold cream-yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Pour into 4 (6 to 8-ounce) ramekins or custard cups and refrigerate uncovered until cold. When the panna cottas are thoroughly chilled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and pepper 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Set aside at room temperature.
• To serve, run a small knife around each dessert in the ramkein and dip the bottom of each ramekin quickly in a bowl of hot tap water. Invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate and surround the panna cotta with strawberries. Dust lightly with freshly grated lemon zest and serve.

BALSAMIC PANNA COTTA

Steps:

• Stir together all the ingredients in a heavy-bottomed pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat (it will immediately thicken and then thin out).
• Divide mixture among 10 four-ounce ramekins. Cool, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve, up to 3 days.

PANNA COTTA WITH FIGS

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice and water, and set aside.
• Place 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over water, and let soften for 10 minutes.
• Place heavy cream and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Add gelatin mixture, and stir until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to 1-quart measuring cup.
• Place measuring cup in the ice bath, and whisk cream mixture until cool, 6 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Pour mixture into six 6-ounce ramekins or glasses. Chill until set, about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
• While contents of the ramekins set, make the caramel: Spread remaining cup sugar evenly in the bottom of a heavy skillet, and place over medium-high heat. Let sugar melt without stirring, until the bottom layer is completely melted and the edges begin to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Tilt and swirl the pan to distribute the sugar evenly. Stir with a wooden spoon until all sugar is melted and dark amber. Stir in 1/2 cup warm water and bourbon. Stir until combined, and remove from heat to cool to room temperature.
• To unmold panna cotta, dip ramekins in warm water. Run a paring knife around edges of panna cotta to break seal, and invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate. Dessert will slowly slide out. Garnish with figs and caramel. Serve. You can keep panna cotta, covered in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to three days. It should be eaten quite cold; remove it from the refrigerator just before serving. At times of the year when figs are out of season, drizzle the custard with chocolate sauce, or top it with fresh berries.

PANNA COTTA WITH FIGS AND BERRIES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat the half-and-half over medium-low until it just begins to simmer. Turn off heat. Add sugar, stir to dissolve, then add lemon peel, salt and almond extract, and let steep while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
• Meanwhile, put gelatin in a small bowl and add 3 tablespoons cold water. Let dissolve, mashing with a spoon to prevent lumps, about 5 minutes. Add to the half-and-half mixture, and whisk well to incorporate.
• Using a fine-meshed sieve, strain into a measuring cup with a spout. Pour mixture into 4 (4-ounce) ramekins, tea cups or wine glasses. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. (It is a good idea to make the panna cotta several hours ahead or up to 2 days in advance.)
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Make the compote: In a small, wide skillet, a gratin dish, or a pie pan, arrange the berries, then the figs cut-side-up. Sprinkle with the granulated sugar and the kirsch or Calvados. Roast, uncovered until juicy, with most of the liquid evaporated, about 40 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• To serve panna cotta, run a knife around edge of the ramekins, then invert them over a soup plate or dessert dish. Shake gently to unmold. Surround panna cotta with fruit and roasting juices. (Alternatively, serve in the ramekin or wine glass with fruit on top.)