He stood opposite her attentively, waiting. She was hesitant, unsure if she had made a mistake. Under the dim lights, he flashed a reassuring smile urging her to take a bite. Sucking her lip, she drew her gaze down to examine what he had presented to her, an Italian Panna Cotta.
With her index finger, she softly trailed a small circle on the pearly surface. Uncontrollably, it shivered under her touch. She lifted her finger to her lips, tracing the tip with her tongue. Her eyes widened in surprise as a small gasp of pleasure escaped from her mouth. It was unexpectant, like nothing she had ever experienced before.
Impatiently, she picked up her spoon and took another mouthful. It was creamy, smooth almost like velvet with the subtle hint of vanilla. In satisfaction, he grinned watching her as she savored the flavors in her mouth.
In exclamation, she whispered breathlessly “I don’t normally like dessert.. but this…” Words failed her.
Leaning forward, he picked up the stem of the empty wine glass and placed it on the serving tray delicately. Balancing the glass precariously, he returned to the kitchen smiling. His work was done.
With her spoon, she toyed with the panna cotta to observe the ingredients closer. It was creamy but still fresh, sweet but not too overpowering. With her long fingers, she brought a berry to her lips. It exploded in her mouth, blanketing her tongue with the floral juice and seeds. Surprisingly, the cream didn’t pair nicely with the luscious fruit. Instead, it emphasized the berries sharpness and perfumed flavor. It was the perfect match between cream and acid.
Since tasting my first panna cotta, I have come to the conclusion it is my favorite dessert. I have sampled many variations. I have tested and tried, but this recipe is by far my favorite.
It’s my go-to dessert when I prepare an indulgent meal with my partner, or for those cheeky nights alone. After all, who needs an excuse to entertain life’s simplest of pleasures? 😉
- 3 cups chilled water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup cream
- 3 small gelatine leaves / sheets*
- 1 vanilla bean
- 3 tablespoons raw sugar
- fresh raspberries, to serve
- mint sprigs, for garnish
- 1 organic egg, whites separated
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon raw cocoa
- 1 cup of frozen raspberries*
- 2 teaspoons lemon rind, optional.
- Soak the gelatine leaves in chilled water for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan add the milk, cream, and sugar. Using a small knife, cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds from the inside of the bean. Include the vanilla bean and the seeds to the saucepan. Slowly heat the cream mixture over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring regularly, ensuring that the mixture does not come to the boil.
- Once warmed, remove the saucepan from the heat. Being mindful of the temperature, remove the vanilla bean from the cream mixture and discard.
- Remove the gelatine from the chilled water, drain well. Include the gelatine to the cream mixture and stir regularly, until dissolved.
- Pour the cream mixture through a sieve to remove any lumps, and into four small to medium sized ramekins. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or overnight.
- In a blender or food processor, add the organic egg whites and coconut oil. Blend until the mixture is fluffy. Include the coconut flour, sugar, and raw cocoa blending until mixed together. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
- Drop 1 teaspoon of tuile batter on one tray and use a spatula to spread the mixture into a rectangle. Repeat with remaining batter, allowing room for spreading.
- Bake 1 tray for 5 - 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove and repeat with remaining trays.
- Ensure the raspberries are defrosted. Using a blender or food processor, blend the raspberries and lemon rind into a smooth mixture.
- Take the panda cottas out of the fridge. Pour the raspberry coulis over the panda cotta, top with fresh raspberries and garnish the the chocolate tuile and fresh mint. Bon Appétit! 🙂
- * for vegetarian alternative to gelatine, use agar-agar, carrageen or vegan-gel
- * fresh raspberries can be tart. Using frozen raspberries ensures the coulis is sweet
Props Used:
- marble serving paddle, spotlight
- ice-cream bowl, bed bath n’ table
- white tablecloth, op-shop
- antique teaspoons, op-shop
Hey There, I’m Kylie. My passion is plant-based recipes and I want to help you create something gorgeous!
I believe in taking a slow approach to food – to eat locally, seasonally and consciously.
When I’m not taking photos, you can find me wandering the coastal paths of South-East Australia.
Veeyah says
I CANNOT with the little story time at the beginning! Gaahhh! I felt tingles all over my spine hahaha. You really have an amazing writing style, not that I ever thought otherwise, haha!
I will SOO try this. I feel like your recipes will ALWAYS taste good! ^_^
Kylie (Author) says
Thank you so much lovely! I would love to hear how you go creating the recipe! 🙂 x
jared's mum says
I love Panna Cotta but I have never tried making them myself. I am saving your recipe for when I muster enough courage to try creating some of these goodies in my diminutive kitchen!
Kylie (Author) says
If you omit the chocolate tuile, the recipe is actually quite simple! Good Luck! I would love to hear how it goes! 🙂
Orana says
A beautiful dessert and a beautiful story along with it.
I don’t think I’ve ever had pannacotta that made my mouth water, in all truth, I don’t think I’ve ever had Panna Cotta! I should definitely change this. Or try to make your recipe, though, I’m sure that it will it come out the same as your photos.
Kylie (Author) says
I have not doubt that if you created this recipe it would look stunning! It’s surprisingly simple! Good Luck! 🙂
Betchie says
I love panna cotta! They’re the simplest, yet the most delicious desserts you can have on any occassion!
It does perfectly fit the occasional dates and intimate home gatherings. I’ve been meaning to do this at home but I lack some courage sometimes, I’m afraid to fail. I might try this recipe though. Thank you for sharing!
By the way the photos are so nice, what camera were you using? 🙂
Kylie (Author) says
I couldn’t agree with you more. I think they are easy, delicious and yet elegant!
It’s such a simple dessert, I encourage you to give it a try. Who knows, perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised by your culinary talents!
I’m using a Canon, 5D Mark IV, 2.8 100mm macro. Please remember though, it takes so much more than a camera to take a beautiful image!
John says
Oh my! If I was there to eat those, I wouldn’t have spoken a word. I would just devour the luscious looking panna cottas.
I can imagine the mix of vanilla, berry, chocolate, and coconut oil mmmmm. That must have been satisfying! I’m actually wanting one right now as I have a thing for sweets!
Thanks for showing me how to make it, maybe I’ll just make one now 😀
Kylie (Author) says
I would love to hear if it satisfied your cravings 🙂
Pia says
A really creative introduction! I thoroughly enjoyed it – it made me crave panna cotta! And your pictures are amazing, as always. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the recipe as well- it’s one of my favorite desserts so I can’t wait to try this!
Kylie (Author) says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Pia! Thank you so much for your sweet words! 🙂
Marge says
This is the first food review (or description) that I’d seen in a blog written in an erotic kind of way. I must say, it’s more interesting to read!
I also love Panna Cotta, though I wouldn’t say that it’s my most fave dessert. It’d be interesting to make this recipe though. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Kylie (Author) says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the description! There are only so many times you can read about food and be intrigued, I like to make it interesting! 🙂
Erica says
I have never tried making panna cotta before!
You give very easy to follow instructions so I think it’s about time to try! Valentines Day is better with this sweet treat! Thank you for sharing!
Theresa says
I like how you presented the dessert in the intro but hey, I totally forgot the first part when I saw how great your food styling and photography was!
It’s my first to visit your blog and I am in awe of your amazing and beautiful photos. I would love you to be my mentor in food and photography styling.
Kylie (Author) says
Hi Theresa! Thank you so much for your kind words!
I would love to help out with any photography / styling questions you have, is there a specific topic you would like help on? 🙂
Herbert says
It’s too enticing and I can no longer take this anymore! I love the photos by the way.
I love to cook but I don’t know if I can create this one. It’s worth the shot!
Sonnie says
You are a good storyteller!
Aside from complimenting the post with good photos, how it was written is made a common blog post into something “edgy and exciting”, haha.
I will forward the recipe to my daughter who is taking culinary arts. She loves experimenting of food variations and visual presentation.
Pinay says
I am not a raspberry fan but would love to try this recipe out if given the opportunity.
By the way, I want to commend you. You take beautiful photos. I like them to bits!
Stella says
Your introduction to this was really funny. I like how it read like a cheesy romance novel.
I wouldn’t say panna cotta is my favorite dessert (that’s cannoli) but I do enjoy it. Your photos of the dessert are gorgeous too!
Maaya Legaspi says
If I were to eat this, words would probably also fail me to express how yummy it is. Just by looking at the pictures makes me crave for it!
You’re so talented to make something like this. I mean just look at the presentation. It’s swoon worthy. 🙂
Nora says
Oh yum! That sounds super delicious! I love pannacotta and berries so I guess you cannot go wrong with this. 🙂
Additionally, I enjoyed you preparation photos. They are really high quality and nicely visualize the recipe!
Irma Jašarević says
Everything that includes raspberries and vanilla simply has to taste perfect.
I love Panna Cotta but I have never actually tried to make it myself. I am not sure why exactly since it looks quite easy. I will try to make this recipe. Wish me luck as to not to mess something up! I am not a very experienced chef.
Kylie (Author) says
Good Luck! I trust that you’ll do an incredible job! It’s quite a simple recipe! 🙂
Carola says
I really love Panna Cotta! It’s great. I’ve never tried to make it myself (yet).
My favorite dessert is usually Creme Brulee. But Pannacotta is a lovely dessert as well! It is always great. I love this recipe and I will try it out. It looks like I should be able to create this. I’m curious how my homemade Pannacotta would taste!
Kylie (Author) says
Creme Brulee is also incredible!
There is only one way to find out! I would love to hear how you go creating the recipe! 🙂
Tescha Chetty says
Wow! this sounds amazing. Raspberries are my favorite. Can I buy gelatin leaves from any store?
Your photography is absolutely fabulous.
Kylie (Author) says
You should be able to find gelatin leaves or gelatin powder in most supermarkets in the baking aisle. 🙂
Kris says
I haven’t tried this recipe yet but every angle of it looks delish! The way you explained the experience also makes me conclude that it is something worth trying.
I don’t know if this is available in my country – not that I know of. It’s a good thing you shared how this was done. I will definitely try creating it!
Kylie (Author) says
I hope the recipe goes well Kris! Keep me updated, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Ana says
This looks so amazingly delicious! I have to give it a try. I also love how the pictures have been taken. Thanks for sharing.
Kylie (Author) says
Thank you for your kind words Ana, I’m glad you liked the post! 🙂
Indrani says
You make it sound so easy. 🙂 The steps given in detail are really easy to follow!
The video is a bonus. I am tempted to try this out, the only thing holding me back is the calories I would consume making it!
Kylie (Author) says
There are two types of food. Food for the body and food for the soul.
Ignore the calories, you live once. Enjoy in moderation! <3
Ella Ivoire says
I learned how to make the perfect panna cotta from my mum at the age 12. It’s so good, and it is something that we eat a lot here in my family.
Even though I loved the way you’ve explained each step, it was really your pictures that got my eye. Would it be really bad for me to ask you to do a post with tips and tricks, like lightening, etc? I’m assuming you’ve taken these indoors but you have the perfect amount of light!
Kylie (Author) says
Hi Ella, it wouldn’t be bad to ask at all. I learned from many other photographers so it would only be fair to share my knowledge.
The images were taken indoors, the window was a meter away from the dish (on the right) at approximately 3:00p.m
I will compile a post and email you the link if you like? 🙂
Sabine says
Oh Gosh, this looks so good! I will save this recipe for a great dessert for the weekend. I’m sure my husband would love this.
The color of the dessert makes it even look more tasty! 🙂
Yan says
My goodness, your shots are sooo perfect! And the way you described the dish sounds all too sensual! I love it!
Teresa says
I love your photos! They make me want to eat this dessert now. 🙂
It looks so yummy. I will try this recipe one of these days.
Laura H says
My gosh your photos are absolutely perfect!
The layout of the food is so professional too – I am seriously impressed!
I love the detail ontop of the panna cotta with the chocolate and the gold leaf, this would be perfect for a special event. Raspberries are my favourite fruit so I must try this!
Me-An Clemente says
I absolutely love panna cotta, And I love how you have made this different from the usual. You also made us experience its taste through your writing.
If raspberries were readily available here in my country, I could have whipped up that recipe right away. Anyway, for now, I’ll just savor your writing.
Claire Santiago says
I really love panna cotta! I go to restaurants just to have a taste of it but it is pricey.
I’ve always wanted to do it at home but I find it really hard…
Nicole P says
WOW! I thought I was reading the wrong article at first… it looked more like a hot romance novel than an entry for a Panna Cotta recipe. But it just shows me that you’re really into the desserts thing. Still got tingles on my spine and goosebumps everywhere. Haha!
As for the recipe thanks a lot cause I’m hoping to try this one out for the weekend! I hope my husband also gets the same reaction when he tries this one! 😉
Louisa says
Aside from these being excellent shots, this dessert looks incredibly delicious!
Panna Cotta is one of the desserts I always reach for at the dessert table. Raspberries and Chocolates are a good combination!
Sondra Barker says
Okay YUM! I need to try this, it looks amazing. Thanks for sharing the recipe.