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Happy July and Happy Birthday United States of America!
It seems like it was yesterday that I was writing a Memorial Day post, heralding the beginning of swimsuit season and, here we are, half way through the summer. What in the world happened to June, does anybody out there know?
We were getting ready to eat a late dinner a few nights ago when, out of the blue, we began hearing "pop-pop-pop .......... pop-pop-pop-pop"! It kept going. For a minute Scott and I looked at each other puzzled, then our eyes lit up as we remembered the fireworks that's sponsored each year by our local YMCA. The Y is only two blocks from our home and they always schedule their beautiful fireworks display the Sunday before the 4th of July. We rushed to the door and ended up eating our meal right there on the front steps, never taking our eyes off the glorious heavens. I'm not sure what we ate for dinner that evening, but I can't forget the spectacular display; one glorious burst of sound and light after another, thundering and showering the skies with every hue imaginable, before fading into wisps of smokey shadows. We oohed and aahed with each colorful explosion and recalled the words of the famous patriotic anthem; "and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there...".
Our country is celebrating 238 years of independence this week, so I decided something festive in red, white and blue was in order. I tossed around a couple of ideas, but in the end, got my inspiration from Martha Stewart for this Strawberry and Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta.
I loved the idea of a dessert with just a few simple ingredients; in this case fresh strawberries, a splash of lemon, cream, Greek yogurt, sugar and vanilla beans. The panna cotta and strawberry layers are both thickened with a bit of natural, unflavored gelatin.
The recipe is fairly easy to put together, with the cooking done quickly in the microwave. The hands-on time is less than 30 minutes, but there is an hour refrigeration time in between layers to achieve the pretty flag-striped look. If you're pressed for time, this dessert could be made with just two layers and still be quite festive.
Although this dessert is perfect for a patriotic celebration, I'm already thinking of variations of flavors that could be done for other occasions and seasons. The strawberries could be swapped out for layers made with blueberries, peaches, apricots, pumpkin, pomegranate, cranberries.......... Hey, how about a layer of ganache like in these Layered Cheesecake Jars. Okay, I could keep going; but you get the idea of fun versatility, right? Make these beautiful little layered jars of deliciousness a day or two in advance for easy entertaining. Just add blueberries and a sprig of mint right before serving. Expect gasps of patriotic delight!
P.S. Happy 4th of July from The Café! We'll be back on Saturday with a new recipe, after taking a short holiday break.
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Strawberry and Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- For the strawberry layer:
- 4 cups sliced strawberries
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice, about
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin, ¼-ounce or 7g
- For the panna cotta, cream layer:
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin, ¼-ounce or 7g
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup greek yogurt
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean pod or 1 teaspoon regular vanilla extract
- For the topping:
- fresh blueberries, for topping
- mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- For the strawberry layer - Combine strawberries and sugar in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high power for 2 minutes. Stir and cook another 2 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve, pressing on berries with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Add lemon juice. Measure the amount of strawberry juice.It should right around 1 ⅔ cups. If it's not quite 1 ⅔ cups, add a bit of fresh orange juice. Set aside.
- Put ⅓ cup cold water into a small microwave-safe bowl; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes, then place in microwave for 10 seconds. Add to strawberry juice mixture; stir well.
- Clear off an area in your refrigerator to hold 4 dessert glasses. (Each glass should hold about 1 ¼ cups liquid.) Pour ¼ cup strawberry juice mixture into each of the four glasses. Set remaining strawberry gelatin aside. Refrigerate glasses until gelatin is completely set, about 1 hour. (See tips below for even layers)
- For the panna cotta (cream) layer - Put ⅓ cup cold water into a small microwave-safe bowl; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes, then place in microwave and cook on high for 10 seconds.
- Combine cream, and sugar into a medium-size microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for 2 minutes until starting to simmer. Remove from microwave and add vanilla bean paste and gelatin, stir until gelatin has dissolved, about 2 minutes.
- Place yogurt in a separate medium size bowl. Whisk until creamy and smooth. While whisking, slowly add heavy cream/sugar mixture. Whisk till smooth. Set aside.
- For the layering - When strawberry gelatin layer has set, add ¼ cup of the cream mixture to each glass. Cover remaining cream and set aside (keep at room temperature). Refrigerate glasses until cream (panna cotta) layer is set, about 1 hour.
- Repeat layering with remaining strawberry and cream mixtures, forming 4 layers, waiting an hour in between layers.
- Serve with fresh blueberries and mint sprigs for garnish. Can be made 2-3 days in advance.
Notes
Before starting to layer, clear off a shelf in your refrigerator for the four glasses. Do all the layer pouring right there in the refrigerator. Otherwise every time you try to move the glasses in and out, you'll mess up the layers.
Use a small mouth funnel to pour the layers. You'll have much less mess and much prettier layers.
If the panna cotta mixture or the strawberry mixture starts to get a little thick in between pouring layers, just pop it back in the microwave for 10 seconds before pouring the next layer.
Be sure to wait until the previous layer is congealed before adding the next. Mine took an hour but each refrigerator is different.
Inspired by Martha Stewart
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I've made this 2x now for the 4th of July. Last year I made it to the specifics of the recipe and it was perfect. One friend said she didn't want the dessert to ever end, so I made it again for her this year. However, I wanted to skip the individual cups and go with a rectangular bread pan, like my mother-in-law has done with her Ribbon Jello mold at Christmas. Well, it did not work very well. You can't see the layers as well and the colors ran together, it also takes longer, not shorter, due to the wait time between layers. Then when I wanted to loosen it from the pan I set it briefly in hot water...and melted it. Learn from my mistakes and follow the recipe for a perfectly beautiful dessert. I will for next year! Thanks Chris.
This is just spectacular Chris!!
Oh, Chris, these are some exquisite panna cotta! Your layers are perfect! I just need a spoon and I'm ready to dive in 🙂 Hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend!
It may take some time to create the layers but the look is so great…perfect for the 4th. I hope you had a nice one.
what a great 4th of july recipe idea! the layers look superb. definitely will be trying this recipe out, thanks for the inspiration.
Wow! Perfect glassware for perfect layers of perfectly delicious patriotic panna cotta! (Almost a tongue twister 😉 ) This looks like such a refreshing summer dessert! Happy Independence Day!
Happy 4th and have a great long weekend 🙂
Beautiful dessert, perfect for the 4th! I always get a little misty eyed listening/singing the star spangled banner. Happy 4th to you!
they really are very beautiful and thank you for the tips on laying because yours look SO perfect! what a delicious treat:)
Happy 4th of July! What a beautiful dessert and a very festive looking one too. I love Panna Cotta, something about it makes me smile 🙂
So gorgeous Chris! Love, love, love the layers. Perfect for the 4th of July! Have a wonderful holiday!
it looks delicious and festive!
This dessert is just spectacular, Chris! John & I wish you both a lovely 4th of July!
The blueberry stars on the red and white stripes just couldn't be more beautiful or festive to celebrate America's birthday on the 4th! Happy Independence Day!
Hi Chris - you didn't list an amount for the gelatin in the panna cotta - can't wait to make this!
Hi Suze, each envelope is 1 ounce or 28g. I added this to the recipe, thanks!
This is the perfect dessert for the 4th! Not only are the colors perfect, but strawberries and blueberries are so available at the moment. Thanks for this, and have a great holiday!
How many grams of gelatin did you use for the cream layer? Didn't see it on the ingredient list..
Hi Angie, I added it to the recipe, thanks!
Very beautiful and festive!
Yep, the summer is flying by. Very festive dessert, Chris.
Chris these look wonderful! So clever and so patriotic! Happy 4th of July!
Very festive indeed and all of the layers are so pretty. Happy 4th of July.
Sam
Your panna cotta is so pretty 🙂 The layers are so perfect! We live near the council park where they hold fireworks for major events during the year, so we're always surprised to hear popping noises as well, only to realise it's some sort of special occassion haha
That is so perfect! Almost too pretty to eat but I'd force myself. Have a lovely break away!
I love this, I was thinking of doing the same thing with jello but this looks even better. So very festive, happy 4th of July!
This looks fantastic, Chris. Happy 4th!
Oh my gosh Chris this is FLAWLESS and oh so gorgeous you knocked it outta the park!!
Chris the is beyond beautiful. Great tips. I can't wait to try these.
It is really striking! Like a flag in a glass! And the stripes are SO straight!
Very pretty! Happy 4th of July Week-enjoy:@)
L O V E these! So beautiful and perfect for the 4th. Panna cotta has been on my to do list for the longest time. One day.
Chris, this looks absolutely wonderful....delicious and beautiful! I love it, and I will have to try it out this year.....thanks for sharing!
I have never made panna cotta, but this is a strong argument for me to get going. I was glad you mentioned the funnel. I was wondering how you managed to make it so perfect.
Scott, your best photography yet. I am so jealous. 🙂
Hope you have a lovely 4th.
It is a GLORIOUS 4th of July dessert.
Wow..again..perfect layers..no smudges.
You guys...
What a gorgeous panna cotta, the layers are so beautiful!