Monthly Miette May - Panna Cotta

The Monthly Miette for May, Aimee from Food Je t'Aimee choose the challenge of Panna Cotta.  Its a classic Italian dessert made by simmering together cream, milk and sugar mixing this with gelatin and letting it cool to set.  This recipe from author Meg Ryan of Miette has the incorporation of buttermilk.  Most commonly served in a ramekin or bowl and served with a fruit garnish appropriate for dessert. 

Initially I wanted to break out all my molds we have acquired with our business Creative Gourmet Inc. and use them with a selection of garnishes and presentations to show on this blog.  But once again all my equipment is packed away and I'm left with challenges.  However I had an idea of using different shapes and sizes of stem ware and glasses with different flavours and garnishes to create a Miette Masterpiece. 

Glasses for the Presentation!

I began by following the recipe appropriately.  I had the idea of presenting one glass with Chambord, one glass with Kaluha and some smaller glasses with cocoa.  I increased the gelatin by 1 tsp to accomodate the inclusion of these ingredients.  At the next attempt I would consider increasing again the amount of gelatin with the liquor because the Panna Cotta wasnt quite set in the glass and definately not enough to turn out from a mold.   The idea of adding the liquors to the buttermilk mixture was a FAIL.  Do not try this at home.  The flavours did not pair well with the buttermilk and subsequently I had to finish eating the glasses Laura had tried, with a smiling grimmice.  However, the buttermilk mixture on its own was quite nice and refreshing.  Laura was comparing the taste to the creamyness of cream cheese but I informed her it was the buttermilk.  This leant well with the black label rich cocoa powder from Presidents Choice we had purchased for the Tomboy Cake, and this Panna Cotta, of course was Lauras favourite. 

Panna Cotta Miette Masterpiece !

I was photographing at about 11 o'clock at night on the clearest part of our dining room table against the corner of the room for an appropriate clean canvas.  I enjoy photographing food and creating ideas for presentation.  At second try, perhaps some blocks for the glasses to incorporate more height would satisfy my first vision.  Or maybe some more close up shots. 

The following day for breakfast we did finish off the remaining Panna Cotta with the help of our oldest daughter, Lyra.  She thought it was neat to be eating from a wine glass and I'm sure she felt she was a princess. 

Eventhough I had the photos taken and Panna Cotta created 3 weeks ago, I still find myself at the last second typing this blog post.  Eventhough its hard to include it into our schedules, I am enjoying the cooking, creating and bloging of my Miette Masterpieces!  See you in June!