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Panna Cotta - simple, elegant and delicious! If Panna Cotta isn't in your dessert repertoire, you definitely want to try out this delightful sweet treat! ............
Panna Cotta, an Italian classic, might just be one of the simplest desserts you'll ever make and yet it's extremely versatile, lending itself to fun, seasonal variations and an infinite medley of fabulous flavor combinations. The basic ingredients are ordinary, usually just cream, milk, sugar and gelatin but to me, Panna Cotta is like a blank artist's pallet just waiting to be transformed into something lovely, magical and irresistible!
I had some key limes and coconut milk and decided to put together a tropical Panna Cotta. I used frozen berries to make a flavorful and pretty coulis (just a fancy name for a sauce of pureed fruits or vegetables) to compliment the silky smooth custard. I tried two fun serving variations; one in small, flat jelly jars and the other, a more traditional version, unmolded, served with fresh fruit and drizzled with the yummy coulis. If you're looking for a simple, delicious dessert that will be well received by young and old alike, give this delicious Key Lime and Coconut Milk Panna Cotta a try - you won't be disappointed!
P.S. Don't worry if you don't have Key limes - regular grocery store variety limes will work just fine!
Key Lime & Coconut Milk Panna Cotta w/ Mixed Berry Coulis
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup half and half
½ cup coconut milk
¾ cup sugar
1 package unflavored gelatin
1 teaspoon grated Key lime zest (or regular lime zest)
¼ cup fresh Key lime juice (or regular lime juice)
Directions:
1. In a saucepan gently heat the cream. Add the sugar and gelatin. Once dissolved add the grated lime zest and juice. Bring the cream to a simmer and keep at low simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors then pour into 6 ramekins. Place in the refrigerator to chill and set about 6 hours or overnight. Serve with Mixed Berry Coulis and top with a fresh fruit, if desired.
2. To unmold, place ramekins in very hot water for a moment. Run a small spatula around the sides to release. Turn onto a plate, with a vigorous motion if necessary.
Mixed Berry Coulis
1 12 ounce package frozen mixed berries
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons Grand Marnier or other orange flavored liqueur, optional
1. Place berries and sugar in a medium size saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
2. Place in a blender or food processor and puree. Add Grand Marnier (if using) and lemon juice and strain mixture through a fine strainer. Taste and add a bit more sugar, if needed.
FoodEpix says
This looks absolutely delicious. Would love for you to share this with us over at foodepix.com.
Anonymous says
I think I'm going to make a key lime & coconut pie! Thanks for the great flavor combination.
Hanna says
WOW>.......This lok beyond amazing and so do many of your other recipes. SO glad you came by my blog. I am definitely a nrew follower:) SO lovely to meet you!!!
xoxoxo Hanna
Swathi says
I love this combo, panna cotta is my weakness.
Kim says
I'm a huge fan of panna cottas, coconut and lime. What more can I say???? This really looks good!
Anonymous says
re answer to making Panna Cotta in a 9x13 pan ... what a great idea to make in jars. I've never made Panna Cotta before and the family always looks forward to a new dessert each time we get together. Thank YOU so much.
France@beyondthepeel says
Hi Chris, I love lime panna cotta, I have not tried making it with coconut milk as of yet. It sounds absolutely lovely as are the photos mouth watering.
The Mom Chef says
I love panna cotta! your tropical version sounds delicious, especially the key lime part. I do have trouble finding them around here though. Fresh Market will carry them on occasion, but not all the time. Hope you're keeping warm!
heidi says
Thank you - looking forward to trying this recipe 🙂
The Café Sucré Farine says
Hello heidi! Thanks for asking this question - there is almost exactly 2 1/2 teaspoons of gelatin in one packet. I know that I have other international readers so I will try to be more careful about this in the future - thanks again, friend!
Pacheco Patty says
Love your photos! The creamy panna cotta with lime, coconut milk and mixed berries, wow!
heidi says
This looks really beautiful, not to say delicious.
Could you maybe tell me how much gelatine you have in one package? We don't get it in the same packages here, I think, so it would help a lot with a weight measurement 🙂
The Café Sucré Farine says
In an answer to the question about making this Panna Cotta in a 9x13 pan - I've never tried this so I'm not sure - but you could make them in small canning jars and turn the lid on them for transport. Then when you get ready to serve them you could add some fresh fruit and maybe a bit of coulis and a dollop of whipped cream, YUM!
Foodycat says
Pannacotta is one of my favourites. So forgiving!
Eri says
My Goodness Chris! Such a lovely Panna Cotta! I love berries in any way! Have a nice week my friend!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook says
Very elegant dessert, but so good! They look fantastic.
bellini says
I know I would enjoy this lime version of an Italian classic..
Hovkonditorn says
Looks delicious and coconut is a great flavor!
Anonymous says
Oh, this sounds fabulous. Have you ever tried making this in a large pan (9x13)? I'm wondering if it would set well in a large pan. I'm thinking of serving this at a family gathering but I would need to transport it there.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I love panna cotta but I've never made it myself.
The yoghurt where I am at the moment comes in the cutest jars and I've been keeping them to take home. I think they'd be perfect for little individual panna cottas. Yum!