On my quest this week to find the ultimate Valentine’s Day dessert, I happened upon an Ina Garten recipe on Food Network. Chocolate is always so popular on Valentine’s Day, but I wanted to find something a little different that packed the same WOW factor as all the decadent chocolate desserts plastering the pages of Pinterest over the last few weeks. This Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries Sauce recipe is a real show stopper. Having never made Panna Cotta before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The tangy sweet Balsamic Strawberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the rich and creamy Panna Cotta custard.
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I’ve been eager to use these cute heart shaped ramekins that my daughter picked up from William-Sonoma a few years back. But if you don’t have heart ramekins any shape will do just fine.
Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries is the ultimate Valentine’s Day date night recipe!
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Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries Sauce
ingredients:
1/2 packet (1 teaspoon) unflavored gelatin powder
1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
2 pints (4 cups) sliced fresh strawberries
2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated lemon zest, for serving
directions:
In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on 1 1/2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to dissolve.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of the cream, the yogurt, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean seeds. Heat the remaining 3/4 cup of cream and the 1/3 cup of sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Off the heat, add the softened gelatin to the hot cream and stir to dissolve. Pour the hot cream-gelatin mixture into the cold cream-yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Pour into 4 (6 to 8-ounce) ramekins or custard cups and refrigerate uncovered until cold. When the panna cottas are thoroughly chilled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and pepper 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Set aside at room temperature.
To serve, run a small knife around each dessert in the ramkein and dip the bottom of each ramekin quickly in a bowl of hot tap water. Invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate and surround the panna cotta with strawberries. Dust lightly with freshly grated lemon zest and serve.
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That little bit of grated lemon zest grated over the top adds a wonderful new level of flavor! I don’t recommend skipping that step.
Original Recipe Source
Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries
Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries is the ultimate Valentine's Day date night recipe!
Ingredients
- 1/2 packet (1 teaspoon) unflavored gelatin powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
- 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
- 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
- 2 pints (4 cups) sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Freshly grated lemon zest, for serving
Instructions
In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on 1 1/2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to dissolve.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of the cream, the yogurt, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean seeds. Heat the remaining 3/4 cup of cream and the 1/3 cup of sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Off the heat, add the softened gelatin to the hot cream and stir to dissolve. Pour the hot cream-gelatin mixture into the cold cream-yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Pour into 4 (6 to 8-ounce) ramekins or custard cups and refrigerate uncovered until cold. When the panna cottas are thoroughly chilled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and pepper 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Set aside at room temperature.
To serve, run a small knife around each dessert in the ramkein and dip the bottom of each ramekin quickly in a bowl of hot tap water. Invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate and surround the panna cotta with strawberries. Dust lightly with freshly grated lemon zest and serve.
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Jenn says
February 2, 2014 at 3:44 PMI have always wanted to try making panna cotta! Yours looks incredible, especially with the berries!
Tammilee Tillison says
February 2, 2014 at 3:45 PMYes please! OH my goodness this looks so good!!!!
Kira says
February 2, 2014 at 4:07 PMThis looks like an easy to make recipe perfect for valentine.
Scott @ SahmReviews.com says
February 2, 2014 at 4:32 PMNever tried balsamic with strawberries…hmm…
Danielle says
February 2, 2014 at 5:31 PMHow cute are those dishes! I’ve never made panna cotta but love the smooth texture. I’m going to try and make these for the kids for Valentine’s day.
Tara says
February 2, 2014 at 6:05 PMI am curious about the balsamic strawberries. I have both in the house now…I think I will give it a try.
Brittany C. @ The Frugal Free Gal says
February 2, 2014 at 6:37 PMHow cute! Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Jennifer H says
February 2, 2014 at 6:46 PMOoh this looks really good. I might have to give it a try.
Elaina says
February 2, 2014 at 7:14 PMWow this sounds interesting!
Kelly Hutchinson says
February 2, 2014 at 7:16 PMOh my those look good. I can never get my panna cotta to turn out as firm as yours.
Jennifer says
February 2, 2014 at 7:33 PMHuh, not sure if I have ever had panna cotta. Sounds really good and they LOOK ADORABLE!!!!
Mistee Dawn says
February 2, 2014 at 7:53 PMI will take one! Or all of them. lol. They look delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Heather @ It's a Lovely Life! says
February 2, 2014 at 8:08 PMThat looks so good! I bet the flavors are amazing together!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
February 2, 2014 at 9:23 PMLove Ina Garten recipes — I’ve never had one fail me!
Robin Gagnon says
February 2, 2014 at 9:37 PMI like a panna cotta during the summer on occasion
Mama to 5 BLessings says
February 2, 2014 at 9:54 PMNot only does it look delicious but it looks pretty too!
Becca @ Mama B says
February 2, 2014 at 10:01 PMOh yessss please! I want this NOW!
martha says
February 2, 2014 at 10:12 PMi love all things with balsamic. its a favorite flavor of mine!
Rachel says
February 2, 2014 at 10:36 PMNow that looks good. I love chocolate but this is so much more unique and flavorful.
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
February 2, 2014 at 10:50 PMI’ve never had panna cotta but these look so amazing!
HilLesha says
February 2, 2014 at 10:56 PMThat looks really good! 🙂
Toni says
February 2, 2014 at 10:57 PMI love the pictures. It looks really good. Very festive!
Joanna Sormunen says
February 2, 2014 at 10:57 PMI LOVE pannacotta! I had to pin this. It looks so utterly delicious. I want to eat it now.
Mellisa says
February 2, 2014 at 11:11 PMI think I will make this tomorrow! I have been craving strawberries.
Mickey Coutts says
February 2, 2014 at 11:12 PMI never even knew what Panna Cotta was. This sounds really good though. Maybe we’ll give it a try. Thanks! 🙂
jeanae says
February 2, 2014 at 11:35 PMThose are simply adorable ramekins! I am a fan of Ina’s recipes, and I may have to add this one to my list. I have a set of ramekins from our crates of wedding presents; this would be an excuse to break them in.
Kathleen says
February 2, 2014 at 11:50 PMYum! I can honestly say I have never had panna cotta, but it sounds and looks delicious.
LaVonne says
February 2, 2014 at 11:55 PMYummy! I hadn’t heard of this dish either and it looks great. Thank you for sharing it!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
February 3, 2014 at 12:24 AMDrooling. Drooling. Drooling. Yes, please! This looks really tasty!
Jess A says
February 3, 2014 at 12:54 PMYES! This looks absolutely divine! Thank you for the recipe!
Billie says
February 3, 2014 at 1:53 PMI’ve never made nor even tasted panna cotta, but I’m quite sure I’d like it!
Marcie W. says
February 3, 2014 at 8:05 PMMy husband recently received an upscale sweet balsamic as a gift. This would be such a great recipe to use it in and it looks delicious!
Jenn says
February 3, 2014 at 9:23 PMOh yum. And the presentation is so festive for February!
Donna says
February 3, 2014 at 11:38 PMI love balsamic and strawberries, but I’ve never made panna cotta before… this is on my to try soon list!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
February 3, 2014 at 11:55 PMLooks amazing and so perfect for Valentine’s Day!
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
February 4, 2014 at 1:27 AMNever had panna cotta but I do enjoy balsamic strawberries! Love how colorful your dessert is!
[email protected] says
February 4, 2014 at 8:08 PMOh wow. That looks amazing. I have to try it.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
February 4, 2014 at 10:31 PMIt looks amazing! I don’t think I have ever made anything like this before.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
February 5, 2014 at 1:56 AMIt sounds really Valentine perfect to me. I want to scoop a spoonful up immediately.
Janet W. says
February 5, 2014 at 7:28 AMThis looks so festive and a great dish to enjoy with my husband on Valentine’s Day! Looks delicious!
Tammy says
February 7, 2014 at 7:34 PMThat looks delicious. I’ve always been a little intimidated to make Panna Cotta, I don’t have a lot of patience when it comes to making food LOL!
LyndaS says
February 8, 2014 at 12:12 PMThat looks really refreshing. I love desserts with strawberries.
Lolo says
February 10, 2014 at 2:23 AMThat looks amazing! I love balsamic on my strawberries!
Kelsey Apley says
February 11, 2014 at 3:35 PMYUM!! I have never had Panna Cotta but it sounds really good!!!
Cynthia C says
February 21, 2014 at 8:41 AMThis is one dessert I have never tried to make. It looks so good! I wonder if it would work with fat free half & half and low fat yogurt to cut down on the fat and calories?
Carol L says
February 21, 2014 at 11:31 AMSuch a great alternative to chocolate. These look delicious. The pics are great too. Thanks for sharing. I definitely want to make these.
Carol L
Stephanie F. says
February 21, 2014 at 1:03 PMI’ve only had panna cotta a couple of times at restaurants, but I absolutely love it. I will pin this recipe and try to make it at home.
M.Clark says
February 22, 2014 at 6:42 PMThis looks delicious!! I have hears about mixing strawberries with balsamic vinegar to really make the flavor pop, I cannot wait to try this. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Shannon says
March 29, 2014 at 12:21 AMThis looks amazing, thank you for sharing.
Shannon says
March 29, 2014 at 12:22 AMHave a lovely day and thank you very much for all that you do.
theresa krier says
March 31, 2014 at 7:01 PMmy daughter made this & it is so delish, thanks for a yummy recipe
Helga says
April 5, 2014 at 11:35 PMWhat a festive dish and great for Mother’s day!
Maria says
January 20, 2015 at 11:47 AMThis looks wonderful! I’ve made a similar recipe before and loved it, the balsamic strawberries are so good! And I love those ramekins – so cute!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
January 22, 2015 at 8:49 AMI love to eat panna cotta but I love to eat it. Maybe it’s time to start making it- this looks delicious!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
January 23, 2015 at 10:06 AMA beautiful Valentine treat! Thanks for linking up with SNF! Pinned to our party board!
Cydnee says
January 28, 2015 at 9:51 AMPerfect for Valentines Day! Love this! Thank you very much for joining in the celebration of #purebloglove, we enjoy having you each week. I hope to see you on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Ginger says
January 29, 2015 at 7:34 PMI’m a sucker for a good panna cotta. This looks delish! Thanks for linking up to Show Me Saturday.
Christina at SWEET HAUTE says
January 31, 2015 at 7:18 AMThank you for sharing at the Show Me Saturdays link up party, your project was featured! Hope to see you this week:) #showmesaturdays
~Be Sweet
Christina at
SWEET HAUTE
Emily says
January 19, 2016 at 11:47 AMThis dessert looks divine! And those heart ramekins are just perfect 🙂 Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday this week.
Cynthia Rusincovitch says
January 25, 2016 at 1:04 PMI have literally never thought about combining balsamic and strawberries together. Brilliant! It’s cute to boot! Thanks for linking up at the delicious dishes recipe party.