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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

** Creamy Treat for February** Daring Bakers Challenge!!




Each month I eagerly wait for the new challenge with the Daring Bakers. I was really excited about the January challenge. I did participate in it but didnt post it here.  Didnt turn out how I wanted it. I am all determined to try it again and post that soon.

Since the last challege didnt come out just right, I was waiting for the next challege. Trying to guess what it was going to be this time. And again this time too it was something new to me. Never heard of this amazing Italian Dessert. The February challenge was hosted by Miss Mallory from A Sofa in the Kitchen. Miss Mallory challenged us to make the creamy silky Panna Cotta with Florentine Cookies. I must say that these challenges help me learn new techniques and recipes.

Panna Cotta is made with simple ingredients. There are many varities of Panna Cotta. Its usually paried with fruits, berries, caremel, gelee, chocolate sauce. We can play with this dessert by trying different ways of layering the dessert. This is one of those desserts where you can amaze your guests with the presentations.



Panna Cotta with Raspberry Jelly

Ingredients

- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon unflavored powdered gelatin
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- Pinch of salt

 For Raspberry Jelly

- 2 Tbspn cold water
- 1/2 tspn powdered gelatin
- 1/2 cup raspberry juice

Method

1.Pour the milk into a bowl  and sprinkle gelatin evenly over the milk. Let stand for 5 minutes to soften the gelatin.
2.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. Whisk it a few times.
3. Add sugar, cream, honey and pinch of salt to this. The mixture should not boil, continue to heat until the sugar is dissolved which takes about 5 minutes.
4.Remove from heat, allow it to sit for a few minutes to cool slightly. Then pour into the glass or ramekin. Refrigerate at least 3-4 hours untill its set.

Raspberry Jelly

1. In a bowl, sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the cold water. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2. In a saucepan, combine the raspberry juice gelatin. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the gelatin dissolves. make sure this mixture is not let to boil.
3. Remove from heat  Let cool .
4. Pour the raspberry jelly over the panna cottas, and return to the refrigerator for another 4 hours.
5. Remove from refrigerator and garnish to serve.




Florentine Cookies

Ingredients

- 2 cups quick oats
- 2/3 cup  unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cups dark  chocolate melted (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to  375 degree F. Prepare the baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat once melted.
3. To the melted butter add oats, sugar, flour, milk, vanilla, and salt. Mix well.
4. Drop a tablespoon full, three inches apart onto your prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the back of your tablespoon
5. Bake this for about 10 mins or until the cookies turn golden brown. Cool the cookies.
6. Melt the chocolate in the microwave until smooth. Garnish the cookies with the chocolate.



Guys this is one amazing dessert which is very easy to make. Try it out. Enjoy!!!