Fruity Variations of
Rhubarb-Panna-Cotta

A panna-cotta with rhubarb is a wonderful variation of the plain vanilla. This popular italian dessert translates in meaning to "cooked-cream" but actually, there is barely any cooking time involved at all.

You may spend more time making the rhubarb sauce, than you will the actual Panna Cotta.


Milk, sugar and cream are mixed and cooked briefly, and then a thickener, usually gelatin, is added to enable it to set.

The Panna Cotta is set aside until firm, and is best served chilled.

Panna Cotta can be allowed to set in a large bowl, but ramekins are much better because it will take less time to firm up. Also, a ramekin or small glass can be inverted onto a single plate for an individual serving.

Use a hot-water-bath (quick dip) to do this, and a knife to help it along.

A single serving with a sauce is much more attractive

A Vanilla Panna Cotta is known as the traditional serving, but flavorings can be served in many forms, like fruits, berries, and even sauces like caramel or chocolate.

If sugar is left out of a Panna Cotta, it then becomes known as a "savory" dish. Sugar was so expensive in much earlier times as an imported luxury, and so the "savory" Panna Cottas were much more affordable.


In general, a Panna Cotta is custardy, easy to make, visually appealing, and just nice and light. Try one with rhubarb.


VANILLA RHUBARB-PANNA-COTTA

Start 2 or 3 gelatin sheets soaking in
warm water.

In a saucepan, slowly simmer the following
ingredients:

3/4 cup double cream
zest of one lemon
3 oz. milk
2 vanilla pods with seeds removed

Remove from heat, and add the gelatin. Stir
until gelatin is dissolved. Let the mixture
cool, and refrigerate. Give it an occasional
stir, and remove the pods.

When mixture has thickened enough to coat a spoon,
add the following:

3/4 cup double cream
1/4 cup icing sugar

Gently mix, and divide into moulds, small glasses,
or ramekins. Chill covered for at least one hour.

Rhubarb-Panna-Cotta Sauce

1 cup chopped rhubarb
2 1/2 tblsp. sugar

Coat rhubarb well with the sugar, and then slowly
grill until browned. Set aside.

Combine

1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 cup sparkling wine

Gently heat until well mixed, and then pour over
grilled rhubarb. Let sit 30 minutes.

Keep the ramekins "intact" and add a spoonful of sauce,
or invert onto a plate beside spoonfuls of sauce and
serve.


CHERRY RHUBARB-PANNA-COTTA

3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup white sugar
2 cups fat-free buttermilk
2 tsp. powdered gelatin

Compote

1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 cup cherries (no pits)
2 cups thawed chopped rhubarb
2 1/2 tblsp. balsamic vinegar

METHOD(Panna Cotta)

Add 1 cup buttermilk to top half of a double boiler.
Sprinkle gelatin over the top. Let stand 5 minutes.

(You will need 5 or 6 ramekins placed on a baking sheet)

Separately, combine the sugar and cream and bring to a
low boil in a saucepan. Now add it to the gelatin mixture.
Place over a pot of simmering water, and stir until gelatin
has dissolved.

Add the rest of the buttermilk, and stir well.

Strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve, and pour into
your dishes evenly. Cover with wrap and chill for
approximately 5 hours until they set.

METHOD(Compote)

Combine all compote ingredients, and set aside for a few
hours. Bring to a boil on low heat stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and set aside.

Serve this dish with Panna Cotta inverted and compote spooned
over the top, or add compote to the top of the ramekin.


RHUBARB-PANNA-COTTA AND LEMON

1 qt. heavy cream
vanilla bean, no seeds, slit lengthways
1/2 cup white sugar

Combine and simmer over medium heat.
Remove, cover and let stand 20 minutes.

Separately, sprinkle 2 1/2 tsp. of powdered
gelatin over 3 tblsp. of water. Let stand
4 or 5 minutes.

Take the cover off of the cream mixture, and
bring to a medium simmer over medium heat.
Add in the gelatin mixture. Gently stir until
gelatin is well dissolved. Remove the vanilla
bean.

Divide into 6-8 ramekins and cover.
Let cool, and then refrigerate until set.

Rhubarb Lemon Compote

3 cups chopped rhubarb
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. grenadine for color (optional)
juice of 1 lemon

Combine all ingredients and simmer on low heat until
boiled down to a sauce. This may require more sugar
depending upon your tastes. Slowly add a bit at a
time.

Garnish your Panna Cotta on a plate or directly over your ramekins.


Leave Rhubarb-Panna-Cotta, Return To Rhubarb Frangipane


Return To Savor The Rhubarb Home Page