Dessert - Panna cotta - Valentine's Day. 
Like chocolate? Like almonds? Like custard? Are you following where I’m going here? I received an email from the Food Network this week promoting Valentine’s Day desserts. Lots of cream, lots of cheese, lots of chocolate. The one that piqued my interest was Nigella Lawson’s chocolate cheesecake dessert. In an effort to keep healthier and not lose momentum cooking great, flavorful, healthful foods for the first part of this year, I decided to try making a panna cotta of sorts. Here’s my ingredient listing:
- 3 cups almond milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 packets gelatin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
I put the almond milk, sugar, extracts, salt, and cocoa in a pot and warmed it slowly on the stove. You’ll need to whisk the cocoa in to coax it to blend into the mixture. While the milk mixture was warming, bloom the gelatin in water. (Sprinkle the gelatin over the water…let it absorb the water…no need to stir.) Once the gelatin has bloomed and the mixture is quite hot, turn down the heat to low or off. Whisk in the gelatin until it’s thoroughly combined. With the heat of the milk mixture, it will melt in pretty quickly. Divide into serving dishes. (I used 4 coffee cups in anticipation of a nice presentation. A little was left over for the cook that way!) Chill in the refrigerator until set.
After a dinner of pan-seared fish with butter sauce, riced potatoes (to help soak up the sauce!) and sauteed baby squash, this dessert will surely make the two of us happy tonight.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I apologize for anyone that read my recipe earlier. I did use sugar in the recipe. I tried to keep it low…but it did need a bit.
This turned out to be a hit. Just the right amount of gelatin. I plugged in the numbers and we’re at 190 calories a serving…What a tasty, low-calorie dessert!