Panna Cotta with Berry Sauce (Print)

Silky Italian custard dessert paired with sweet-tangy berry sauce - an elegant finale requiring minimal effort but maximum impression.

# Ingredients:

→ Panna Cotta Base

01 - 2¼ teaspoons unflavored gelatin
02 - 3 tablespoons cold water
03 - 2 cups heavy cream
04 - ½ cup whole milk
05 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
06 - 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
07 - 1 pinch salt

→ Berry Sauce

08 - 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
09 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

# Directions:

01 - Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to soften.
02 - In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, and sugar. Heat over medium heat until hot, but not boiling. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
03 - Remove the cream mixture from heat. Add the softened gelatin, vanilla extract and pinch of salt. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
04 - Divide the mixture into 8 ramekins or molds. Let them cool to room temperature.
05 - Refrigerate the panna cotta for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until set. They should be firm to the touch.
06 - While the panna cotta is chilling, prepare the berry sauce. In a saucepan, combine the berries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the berries are soft and the sauce is slightly thickened. Let it cool.
07 - Drizzle the panna cotta with berry sauce and serve.

# Notes:

01 - For a smoother berry sauce, strain it to remove seeds and pulp after cooking.
02 - If using frozen berries, no need to thaw them; just cook a bit longer until the desired consistency is reached.
03 - To ensure the panna cotta sets properly, refrigerate for at least 4 hours, although overnight is best for ideal firmness.
04 - Agar-agar can be used as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin; follow package instructions for equivalent amounts.
05 - Personalize your panna cotta by experimenting with different extracts like almond or citrus in place of vanilla.