The February 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mallory from A Sofa in the Kitchen. She chose to challenge everyone to make Panna Cotta from a Giada De Laurentiis recipe. I had never tried panna cotta before but I love creamy chilled desserts so I was looking forward to this challenge.
The first time I attempted it I didn't put enough gelatin in it and it fell apart. I decided I would try again and use it as a layer in my sister's birthday cake.
Her cake had a layer of sponge, bananas, chocolate mousse, more bananas, and then I was planning on pouring the panna cotta as the top layer. I should have thought this through better. The panna cotta just soaked into the sponge and I was left with no top layer.
Sponge cake = full of air holes for panna cotta to soak into. In hindsight this fact is really obvious.
So I cooked bananas with brown sugar and butter, pureed them and then folded it with whipped cream to make the top layer. It was delicious but I *still* had to actually make the panna cotta for the challenge.
Luckily the recipe I used for the chocolate mousse made way more than the cake would hold so I layered the mousse and the panna cotta in cups and served it that way.
If you haven't tried panna cotta before you should.. it's smooth, creamy, slightly sweet. I can't wait till summer berries are available because they would be delicious on top of it.
Wellington was veeeerrryy interested in it as well....
Panna Cotta
Ingredients
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
1 tablespoon (one packet) (15 ml) (7 gm) (¼ oz) unflavored powdered gelatin
3 cups (720 ml) whipping cream (30+% butterfat)
1/3 cup (80 ml) honey
1 tablespoon (15 ml) (15 gm) (½ oz) granulated sugar
pinch of salt
Directions:
- Pour the milk into a bowl or pot and sprinkle gelatin evenly and thinly over the milk (make sure the bowl/pot is cold by placing the bowl/pot in the refrigerator for a few minutes before you start making the Panna Cotta). Let stand for 5 minutes to soften the gelatin.
- Pour the milk into the saucepan/pot and place over medium heat on the stove. Heat this mixture until it is hot, but not boiling, about five minutes. (I whisk it a few times at this stage).
- Next, add the cream, honey, sugar, and pinch of salt. Making sure the mixture doesn't boil, continue to heat and stir occasionally until the sugar and honey have dissolved 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat, allow it to sit for a few minutes to cool slightly. Then pour into the glass or ramekin.
- Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. Add garnishes and serve.
Chocolate Mousse
(from epicurious)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
- 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur (I've used spiced rum, kaluha, and other liqueurs as well)
Whisk eggs and sugar in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) and whisk constantly until candy thermometer registers 60°F, about 5 minutes.
Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat egg mixture until cool and very thick, about 10 minutes.
Place chocolate in top of another bowl over simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water. Cool to lukewarm.
Combine cream and Irish cream liqueur in medium bowl; beat to stiff peaks. Pour lukewarm melted chocolate over egg mixture and fold together. Fold in cream mixture. Cover and chill until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Yummy combination, the chocolate and Irish cream mousse sounds so good!!
Posted by: Patri | 02/27/2011 at 11:45 AM
Looks tasty!
Posted by: Sharpie | 02/27/2011 at 01:16 PM
It looks delicious! I went for the simplest option, as usual :D
Posted by: Tanja | 02/27/2011 at 01:46 PM
I agree - summer berries will be great with this panna cotta... and my kitty was quite interested in this challenge as well! :) Beautifully done even if your cake idea didn't work out so well.
Posted by: Culinography.wordpress.com | 02/27/2011 at 03:07 PM
Oh yum! That looks delish! I may have to give your chocolate mousse a go ... Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jenn | 02/27/2011 at 03:21 PM
Cats love heavy cream :) Love the idea of using chocolate mousse with Irish Cream. Great job!
Posted by: Eilee | 02/27/2011 at 03:40 PM
Panna Cotta...YUM! Looks like you have such fun at Daring Baker's. Is it easy to join? Cate
Posted by: Cate Holst | 02/27/2011 at 04:40 PM
Cate: It's easy to join the daring bakers. You just go to http://thedaringkitchen.com/ and apply to join. They let everyone join but you have to wait until the next challenge before they send you a password to get into the private forums (can't start a challenge mid-month)
Then every month they post the new challenge in the forum and there is another thread to post your finished products and ask questions. Its a really friendly community, and a huge one!
Posted by: Stephanie | 02/27/2011 at 05:31 PM
The important thing is that in the end you got a nice dessert. Wellington looks like a cat on a mission. Our black one is always very interested in dessert. I have had him show up unexpectedly on a photo when he managed to approach the table without me noticing. Both the panna cotta and the cake look really nice.
Posted by: Simona | 02/27/2011 at 06:34 PM
Wow wonderful work on this challenge and I love how you improvised after the mishap of the sponge cake. Lovely work. I adore that cat picture so cute.
Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.
Posted by: Audax Artifex | 02/27/2011 at 08:33 PM
I agree it was a wonderful challenge..love your pictures!
Posted by: Nimi | 02/27/2011 at 09:43 PM
Oo, I really like the banana top layer of your panna cotta, what a great idea! Love that spoon too - very fancy!
Posted by: Mary at n00bcakes | 02/28/2011 at 05:08 AM
Through all your efforts, you came away with a terrific combination and picture! The dessert looks cramy and just the thing after a big meal.
I love that spoon too :-)
Posted by: Evelyn | 02/28/2011 at 07:17 AM
Yum! Chocolate mousse and panna cotta, two creamy desserts! Sounds delicious!
Posted by: Elsa | 02/28/2011 at 07:58 AM
Well I like the "3 leches" like panna cotta cake, looks great and most taste the same.
The panna cotta looks silky and creamy and the flavor combination is delicious
Posted by: Faery | 02/28/2011 at 03:58 PM
I forgot to tell you that I LOVE your cat, it is beautiful
Posted by: Faery | 02/28/2011 at 03:59 PM
Love that you turned the first effort into a cake! The cake looks pretty phenomenal as does the chocolate mousse in your final panna cotta!
Posted by: Mary | 02/28/2011 at 07:01 PM
Awww Wellington is so GORGEOUS! And despite your problems, that cake looks mighty fine!
Posted by: Karen | C&C | 03/01/2011 at 02:07 AM
Wellington obviously has good taste! YUM!!!
Posted by: Patty | 03/01/2011 at 11:15 AM
Thanks for the info on the Daring Bakers....worth a try!
Posted by: Cate Holst | 03/01/2011 at 10:04 PM