TFF: Spring (Or Should I Say Summer) Panna Cotta with Fresh Strawberries and Balsamic Syrup
At our local orchard they have the most beautiful strawberries right now. I was originally going to use them in a savory dish of but came across this panna cotta and my plans immediately changed.
Vanilla flavored desserts are one of my favorite things in the whole wide world. Sure, I like interesting concoctions with fancy names and out of the norm ingredients – I’m all for that every now and then. But really, simple is how I like it. Give me a vanilla base with a fresh fruit topping and I’m happy. Could that be construed as boring? Perhaps. But what’s good is good.
This recipe called for crème fraîche, which is a thinner and creamier version of sour cream, and something that I couldn’t find anywhere. I made the decision to substitute regular sour cream, I figured it would be alright and it was. Of course, a week later I found crème fraîche at a gourmet market 30 minutes from my house. I seriously hope one day I find one store close by that carries all the stuff I’ll ever need. At this point, I’m going to have to start keeping a damn spreadsheet so I can remember all the places in my state where I find different things. If you have time to spare, you can always make your own crème fraîche using a recipe like this one from Joy of Baking.
I really loved this panna cotta. It was smooth, creamy, and a little tangy. The vanilla was very present and the touch of lemon was nice. The balsamic strawberries were the perfect topping. The texture of it would not set enough to be able to unmold onto a plate like other versions I’ve seen, but it was fine keeping it in the ramekin. Maybe the texture was due to using the sour cream or maybe adding some extra gelatin could have helped. I tasted both components separately and preferred them much more together. I thought the tastes really played off each other well when the panna cotta and strawberries were combined on the spoon.
Loved it. Would make it again without a doubt.
Tyler Florence’s Spring Panna Cotta with Fresh Strawberries and Balsamic Syrup
Show: Tyler’s Ultimate Episode: Ultimate Orecchiette
Cook Time: 15 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Ingredients
Nonstick spray, for greasing ramekins
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup superfine sugar (I put regular sugar in a food processor and pulsed a few times)
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (I used vanilla bean paste)
4 strips lemon peel
1 1/2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 cups creme fraiche, room temperature (I substituted sour cream)
1 cup good-quality balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1 large carton strawberries, trimmed and quartered
Directions!
Spring Panna Cotta with Fresh Strawberries and Balsamic Syrup marks my eighteenth post for Tyler Florence Fridays, a group with the freedom to make any recipe of Tyler’s that they choose and then share their experiences every Friday.
Carey replied:
Those strawberries do look good. I’m also a fan of putting fruit on something basic, even if it’s jam on bread.
June 26, 2009 at 6:50 am. Permalink.
pam replied:
Beautiful! I have the same trouble finding stuff around here.
June 26, 2009 at 8:20 pm. Permalink.
DebinHawaii replied:
I think Panna Cotta is one of my very favorite things and the combo of strawberries with vanilla is so good too. This looks just amazing!
June 26, 2009 at 10:49 pm. Permalink.
Megan replied:
I love panna cotta – it’s perfect for summer.
Or anytime, really
June 27, 2009 at 12:36 am. Permalink.
Arlene replied:
Lovely and refreshing dessert. Great photo, too.
June 27, 2009 at 6:12 am. Permalink.
Jenny replied:
Yummy! (And I can’t find creame fraiche anywhere either.
June 27, 2009 at 7:12 am. Permalink.
Kristin replied:
This sounds wonderful, I love all the strawberry recipies!! summer must finally be here!!!
June 27, 2009 at 7:48 am. Permalink.
Debby replied:
First, thanks so much for your lovely comments on my blog. I have been wanting to make panna cotta for weeks, and this looks like a great way to go…I usually make rasberry coulis sauce. BTW, you can make your own cream fraiche very easily…just google and it will come up.
Debby
June 27, 2009 at 12:39 pm. Permalink.
Joanne replied:
Vanilla is definitely my favorite dessert flavor. Give me a creme brulee and I wouldn’t need anything else. Ever. Okay maybe bread pudding.
I’ve never had panna cotta before but it looks so good! I feel you on the store thing. I always remember seeing ingredients, somewhere, but never when I need them. Always too early or too late.
June 27, 2009 at 11:07 pm. Permalink.
Vibi replied:
Gotta try this very intriging match! …sounds wonderful! …and another two thumbs up for Karen… and Tyler! LOL
June 28, 2009 at 7:43 am. Permalink.
Kim replied:
I agree about shopping for special food items. I keep a running list of “hard to find” ingredients in a planner that I keep in my car. I get so excited when I find some of those items1 My husband teases me that I take grocery shopping way too seriously1 This one is on my list of things to make while berries are on sale. Your pictures are beautiful.
June 29, 2009 at 9:42 am. Permalink.
Natashya replied:
I have actually never had panna cotta before. I must remedy that immediately, yours looks amazing!
June 30, 2009 at 5:26 pm. Permalink.
Jodie replied:
This looks fabulous! This is my hubs fave dessert! I’ll have to try this!
June 30, 2009 at 10:34 pm. Permalink.
Eva replied:
Those strawberries look perfect! That looks like a perfect creamy dessert. I will have to try in sometime.
July 2, 2009 at 6:05 am. Permalink.
Hornedfroggy replied:
Beautiful photos – this looks delicious!
July 3, 2009 at 10:02 am. Permalink.