Spring Panna Cotta With Fresh Strawberries And Balsamic Syrup Food

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.

DESSERT CROSTINO OF FRESH RICOTTA, STRAWBERRIES AND AGED BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Chop the strawberries into 1/4-inch dice and add them to a glass or ceramic bowl. Add sugar, balsamic vinegar and torn basil leaves. Gently toss to combine and set aside to macerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Lightly brush the toasted crostini slices with the macerating liquid to sweeten. Spread 1 tablespoon of ricotta on each toast and then top with 1 tablespoon of macerated strawberries. Drizzle each crostini with remaining liquid and sprinkle with just a pinch of fresh ground black pepper.
• Serve immediately.

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM PANNA COTTA

Steps:

• Arrange 8 small (4-ounce) silicone molds or 4-ounce ramekins or an 8-inch round silicone mold on a rimmed baking sheet. Make room for the baking sheet in your refrigerator.
• If using gelatin sheets, soak them in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes. If using powdered gelatin, place 3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the surface and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Put the cream, milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, vanilla bean and seeds in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until simmering, about 5 minutes; do not boil.
• If using soaked gelatin sheets, squeeze out the excess water. Whisk the bloomed gelatin into the cream mixture until completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Add the white chocolate, remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk until the chocolate completely melts and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into the prepared silicone molds and allow to cool at room temperature, about 1 hour. Once cooled, refrigerate the panna cotta until cold and set, about 4 hours.
• Put 1 pound of the strawberries, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the Champagne and a pinch of salt in a blender and puree until smooth. Transfer to a large nonstick skillet and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes. Reduce to medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy, about 15 minutes. Add the orange zest, remove from the heat and let sit until cool, about 15 minutes. Remove and discard the zest, transfer the syrup to a medium bowl and chill until ready to serve.
• When ready to serve, dip the chilled silicone molds in warm water to loosen each panna cotta and invert them onto plates. Pour the chilled strawberry syrup over the top of each panna cotta and serve with remaining quartered strawberries.

PANNA COTTA WITH STRAWBERRIES AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• For panna cotta:
• Pour 2 tablespoons water into small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Let stand until softened, about 15 minutes. Whisk 1 cup cream, yogurt, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Heat remaining 1 cup cream and 1/2 cup sugar in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and cream comes to simmer. Remove from heat. Add gelatin mixture, stirring to dissolve gelatin. Mix hot cream-gelatin mixture into yogurt mixture in bowl. Divide mixture among six 3/4-cup ramekins, using about 1/2 cup for each. Refrigerate desserts uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
• For strawberries:
• Toss strawberries, vinegar, sugar, and pepper in large bowl to combine. Let stand 30 minutes, tossing occasionally. Spoon strawberries over panna cotta and serve.