Friday, February 13, 2009

Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Vanilla Bean

Need a Valentine's Day dessert?? This Panna Cotta would be a great choice. I saw it in a recent issue of Health magazine and thought that it would be a nice, creamy dessert, that would be a little bit lighter on the calories. Plus I have tons of vanilla beans and low-fat buttermilk is always in my fridge.
I whipped it up quickly the night before and stuck it in the fridge to hang out over night.
I served it with some blackberries and the adults loved it. The kids really didn't care for the texture, which made for some very funny expressions as they tasted it. I thought that the addition of berries really added something to this grown-up dessert, but it was delicious plain as well. I love it when you can eat a great tasting dessert that really doesn't seem to be missing any flavor or creaminess just because it is a little bit lower in fat and calories~
Buttermilk Panna Cotta With Vanilla Bean from Health Magazine

Prep: 40 minutes; Chill: 3 hours or overnight.
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups low-fat buttermilk
1. Place the heavy cream and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise, and scrape the seeds into the heavy cream. Add the cut vanilla bean to the cream. Bring the mixture to just a boil, and turn off heat. Cover pot, and let steep for 30 minutes.
2. Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a small bowl. Let the gelatin bloom while the heavy cream mixture is steeping.
3. Bring heavy cream mixture back to a simmer, and slowly whisk in melted gelatin mixture. Add buttermilk, and whisk until combined.
4. Pour into individual glasses or bowls, and gently cover with plastic wrap. Chill for about 3 hours or overnight; serve.


Coming Tomorrow for Valentine's Day- Blushing Grapefruit Cupcakes

10 comments:

Steph said...

The panna cotta looks so cook with the flecks of vanilla bean!

Jessica said...

The panna cotta looks wonderful. I'm trying to make the Floating Islands (still) for Valentine's Day dessert but my dad and my brother love panna cotta so I will be sure to remember this one.
p.s. I can't wait to see the grapefruit cupcakes!

Cathy said...

This looks like such an elegant dessert! I love it with the blackberries.

Karen said...

This would be a perfect Valentine's dessert. It looks so fancy!

Hannah said...

oh, yum! That looks amazing!!

Marthe said...

That panna cotta looks amazing!! I have actually never made panna cotta, but after seeing yours I can't wait to try!!

Maria said...

Real vanilla bean is the best! What a lovely dessert!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

I'm so glad to know there's a lower fat version around that still delivers great creamy taste. I adore blackberries. I wonder if I could use vanilla paste in this? Oh, and I found some frozen cranberries at Fresh Market, so I'm back in the cranberry business!! Martha's muffins might be the first thing I make.
Nancy

Unknown said...

Just as those cupcakes were hanging out on your "to make" list, panna cotta is on mine. I need to just break down and do it.

What's for Supper? said...

Congrats on being such a hot blog in Utah!! You deserve it!