Description
This elegant Valentine’s Day Strawberry Panna Cotta recipe is a creamy, smooth Italian dessert featuring a delicate vanilla-flavored cream base topped with a vibrant homemade strawberry sauce. Perfect for a romantic occasion, it combines the richness of cream with the freshness of strawberries and mint to delight your taste buds and impress your loved one.
Ingredients
Scale
Panna Cotta Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp powdered gelatin
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Strawberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Garnish
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Mint leaves
Instructions
- Bloom Gelatin: Sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the milk in a small bowl and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to bloom and absorb the liquid.
- Warm Cream Mixture: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cream reaches a steaming temperature without boiling.
- Dissolve Gelatin: Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the bloomed gelatin to the warm cream mixture. Whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Flavor Panna Cotta: Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavor throughout the cream base.
- Set Panna Cotta: Pour the prepared mixture evenly into 4 serving glasses or ramekins. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until firmly set.
- Prepare Strawberry Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, and fresh lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries soften and release their natural juices.
- Finish Sauce: Mash the strawberries slightly with the back of a spoon or blend the mixture until you reach the desired consistency. Allow the sauce to cool completely before serving.
- Plate and Garnish: Spoon the cooled strawberry sauce generously over each set panna cotta. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries and mint leaves for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Ensure the cream mixture does not boil to maintain a smooth texture in your panna cotta.
- For a smoother strawberry sauce, blend thoroughly; for a chunkier texture, mash lightly.
- Refrigerate panna cotta uncovered until it reaches room temperature before covering to avoid condensation.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor in the sauce and garnish.
- Gelatin blooming time is important to avoid lumps in the final dessert.
