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Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
Sunday, 27th February 2011, 23:22

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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 and Nestle Florentine Cookies.

Hello! I am back from my two month hiatus.
Summer in Australia is way too hot and humid to have ovens baking away, so instead time was spent at the beach and cooking multiple barbeques.
What has brought me back is this months Daring Bakers' Challenge, a simple heat and chill panna cotta dessert, perfect for these last few summer nights.
Many of you probably make this all the time, but it's new to me. I chose to make the chocolate panna cotta recipe, provided to us by Mallory.
Part of the challenge was to also make Nestle Florentine cookies. These are essentially an Anzac biscuit, someting I make fairly often, so I skipped it. But check out the full pdf recipes for both here.

Chocolate Panna Cotta
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
A few basics are all you need: cream, milk, sugar, vanilla and some dark cooking chocolate.
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
The only strange item required is gelatin, either in powdered or sheet form, both of which are available in specialty food stores or delis. Living in a regional town, that wasn't an option for me, so I ended up with Create-A-Jelly, which is essentially a jelly mix without flavouring. I am told if I looked harder in the baking section of Woolies I would have spotted the powdered gelatin, but no matter, we shall see how this works. :)

To start with, mix 1 tablespoon of powdered gelatin, or 2 tablespoons of the jelly mix with one cup of milk and let sit for 5 mins.
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
In a medium saucepan, place 2 cups cream, ½ cup castor sugar and 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence. Bring to a low boil over a medium heat.
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
Whisk in 145g dark chocolate (about 20 pieces from a block, so yes there wil be leftovers...) until melted.
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
Whisk in the milk and gelatin mixture and stir until gelatin dissolves.
Pour into ramekins if you want to tip the panacotta out later, or into glasses if you prefer to spoon the dessert out.
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
Allow to chill for at least 4-6 hours.
Simple hey?
Now decorate any way you like, the panna cotta can be tipped out and topped with fresh berries, or layered in a glass parfait style with jelly, fruits and cream. The possibilities are endless for such a simple dessert, for inspiration, check out the results on the Daring Bakers' site.
I decorated my ones in glasses by topping with a jelly made from Saxbys Cherry Cheer, fresh cream and a sprinkle of blueberries.
Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Panna Cotta
My tip out ones aren't quite set so stay tuned...
Enjoy! :)


Comments:
1WOW they look so delicious and you are right great for hot Aussie summer nights. Wonderful step by step pixs also well done on this challenge.

Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.
by Audax Artifex on Feb 28th @ 01:00am

2That create-a-jelly seems just like gelatin, so I am glad it worked out for you! Panna cotta is a great summer dessert, especially paired with blueberries like you did it. And your florentines look great! Great job!!
by Shelley C on Feb 28th @ 12:49pm

3Thankyou Audax and Shelly! Your comments made my day, the best thing about Daring Bakers is the enthusiatic support you get, even if you make something that turns out looking kinda average (but tastes great!). I'm off to check out some other blogs and spread the love! :)
by fivesquaremeals on Feb 28th @ 02:05pm

4oo, wow is it that easy ?? ive got to try this myself!
by betty on Nov 15th @ 09:03am

5wonderful! and so easy to prepare too..
by Andy on Sep 6th @ 05:03pm


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fivesquaremeals fivesquaremeals is the blog of Carly, a 20-something female living in the Macleay Valley on the mid north coast of NSW, Australia.
I love baking that begins with creaming butter and sugar, and eating anything with either bacon or custard. Or both :)
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