My first introduction to Panna cotta has been online, a couple of years ago with a countless shares from so many people on Facebook, websites, blog and what not.. A couple of further reads online led me into an understanding that Panna cotta is a traditional Italian dessert that is made with sweetened cream ,thickened with gelatine and moulded.
It is such a fun dessert that can be tailored and altered with the right proportion of liquid to Gelatine / Settling agent. I haven't blogged about it before, but the Panna cotta bug has caught me . I have made this slurping dessert - 5 times in One month..
My missy who is finally 'Three' - the trouble maker phase , loves her Nestle's Rolo Dessert pots. They are creamy chocolately with caramel centred in the little tubs. Every trip to the super giants and we have them coming home... Couple of month's passed by and I am not very pleased buying them for the little lady all the time.. It was then the pan cotta idea struck my mind !!!
I so wished I had an Indian store, locally to buy agar agar and make the dessert. Driving 7 miles just to buy 1 single ingredient is something that I would never do . Rather decided I will settle in for Gelatine .
Being a vegetarian by birth and choice, Gelatine is not in my best cooking ingredient. It is not that I wouldn't have any gummy bears or jelly's if someone offer's me. But I am not happy about buying them . Having said this, If I am left with no option easily available I might end up buying them too.
Browsing through the section of Baking Ingredients, next to Gelatine, I came across something that said Vege Gel. I actually could not believe it that we have a vegetarian gelatine too.. Rubbed my eyes, carefully read through the ingredients and it did mention about using them for desserts and an option for vegetarians... Hurrayy !! Dr Oetker's product just came handy, right in time :).
Can u believe it .. that day the panna cotta was a close match in flavours . She approved the whole thingy when it was ready and commented in her own baby lingo - " Chocolate Powder is fantastic ! " For some weirdo reasons, she calls the dessert as Chocolate Powder.
Can u believe it .. that day the panna cotta was a close match in flavours . She approved the whole thingy when it was ready and commented in her own baby lingo - " Chocolate Powder is fantastic ! " For some weirdo reasons, she calls the dessert as Chocolate Powder.
Here's my take on this traditional Italian Dessert !
CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA WITH VEGETARIAN GELATINE
Makes 8 small servings
Makes 8 small servings
Ingredients:
270 ml Double Cream
100 ml Whole Milk
100 gms dark chocolate, roughly chopped
80 gms Caster sugar
1 Packet of Vege-Gel
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
100 gms dark chocolate, roughly chopped
80 gms Caster sugar
1 Packet of Vege-Gel
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Garnish :
Chocolate Shards - Make them at home
White chocolate curls
Directions:
- Prepare your glasses/ ramekins to be filled, before you start the whole process. Once the settling agent is added, one needs to act quickly.
- Empty the sachet of the Vege Gel into 200 ml of cold water. Stir until it dissolves .
- In a sauce pan, bring together cream,milk and sugar and heat them in medium heat until the mixture begins to boil. Turn off the flame and add the chopped chocolates and vanilla extract. Whisk them or use a laddle and stir until completely incorporated. At this stage add the vege gel - water mixture and heat them until they just begin to boil.
- Pour them swiftly into the prepared glasses one by one. Refrigerate them over nite or for atleast 5-6 hours to set before you serve. Garnish them with White chocolate curls and Shards. This is entirely your imagination.. If you have some berries, garnish them with it and dust some cocoa powder.
* Note : 1 packet of Vege Gel can set upto 570 ml of liquid.
If you are looking to use Gelatine, dissolve the gelatine as per the instructions.
CHOCOLATE SHARDS:
Ingredients:
50 gm of Dark Chocolate
1 Tblspn of Demerara Sugar ( can use regular granulated sugar too )
Directions :
- Prepare a double boiler for melting the chocolates. Place the chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over hot water and allow to melt, stirring often. Place a 16-inch-long parchment paper on your work surface. Once the chocolate is melted add the sugar and give it a good mix. Pour the melted chocolate onto the paper and using an offset spatula, spread it in a thin and even layer, about ⅓ of an inch off each edge. Place a second sheet of same-sized parchment paper on top and gently press to release the air bubbles. Starting with one short end, roll the parchment paper tightly into an-inch-wide tube. Place it seam side down on a rimmed baking tray and chill in the refrigerator until set, for at least 2 hours.
- Have a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready and remove the tube from the refrigerator. Unroll the tube in one quick motion, which creates the chocolate shards. Remove the top sheet of parchment paper, and with the help of a large offset spatula go underneath the pieces, pick them up and transfer them to the lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Chocolate Panna Cotta Recipe Adapted from here** I was not paid or sent any products to mention this Dr Oetker's Veg Gel Product. I found it convenient and thought it was a great idea to share it with my readers.
Love Panacotta? Now you can enjoy a Vegetarian Panacotta without using gelatine.
Ingredients
- 270 ml double cream
- 100 ml whole milk
- 100 g dark chocolate roughly chopped
- 80 g caster sugar
- 1 packet of Vege-Gel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish
- Chocolate shards
- White chocolate curls
For Chocolate Shards:
- 50 g dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon demerara sugar regular granulated sugar can be used as well
Instructions
- Prepare the glasses: Set out your glasses or ramekins to fill later.
- Dissolve the Vege-Gel: In a bowl, mix the sachet of Vege-Gel with 200 ml of cold water until dissolved.
- Heat the cream mixture: In a saucepan, combine the cream, milk, and sugar. Heat over medium until it begins to boil. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract, stirring until fully incorporated.
- Add Vege-Gel: Stir in the dissolved Vege-Gel and gently heat until it just begins to boil again.
- Pour and refrigerate: Quickly pour the mixture into the prepared glasses and refrigerate overnight or for at least 5-6 hours to set.
- Garnish and serve: Before serving, garnish with white chocolate curls and shards, or add berries and a dusting of cocoa powder if desired.
- For Chocolate Shards:
- Melt and mix: In a double boiler, melt 50 g of dark chocolate, then stir in 1 tablespoon of demerara sugar.
- Spread and chill: Pour the melted chocolate onto a 16-inch-long parchment paper, spreading it into a thin layer. Place a second sheet on top and roll into a tube. Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Unroll and cut: Once set, unroll the tube quickly to create shards, then transfer them to a lined baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
1 packet of Vege Gel can set upto 570 ml of liquid.
Nutrition
Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 527IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Vitamin D: 1µg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhyaskitchen and Hashtag #sandhyaskitchen!
Nicola says
I've been looking for a vege gelatine recipe for days. Glad to stumble across yours. Will make these today. Please do vege gel cheesecake.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
So pleased Nicola.Hope you enjoy the Vegetarian chocolate pannacotta.
Laura says
I can't wait to try these! I have some normal gelatine left over from lord only knows what and am going to have a punt at making coffee panna cotta with it tomorrow for the first time but I don't really like the idea of animal gelatine. Thanks to your post I checked and my supermarket does vege-gel, yay! So I'm going to order some and try your recipe the following week, can't wait! And if it works my veggie friends are all in for a treat. Thank you Sandhya!
CookWith Manali says
These are gorgeous Sandhya!! n what pretty pictures!
Shubha A says
I am a vegetarian too and i face the same problem with gelatine too. Though i eat preparations with gelatine outside.. i try to avoid cooking with it at home.. I will try this recipe soon.. as always amazing clicks!!
Ruxana Gafoor says
lovely yummy dessert
Uma Shankar says
It looks superb!Thanks for sharing!
Rafeeda AR says
That rose spoon and that empty glass... panacotta is always a delight to have! Everything about the dessert is just yummy...
Nandita SS says
My What a gorgeous dessert!!! Loved the photography and the styling.. I must start looking for a tea caddy now 🙂
Manu says
I am so happy you liked my recipe! I love panna cotta, it is one of my favourite deeserts ever as it can be made with almost any flavour! I really like your photos and the way you styled the panna cotta! <3
Cocoa Mcghee says
nice share i will try your recipe for Vegetarian Pannacotta at home.
Jyothi @ Currytrail.in says
What a gorgeous post Sandhya. I'm not much of a dessert person but I'm in love with panna cottas.
Love the idea of serving it in glasses and those spoons are gorgeous! I have been eyeing on such vintage cutlery for a long time now..:D
Pavani N says
Amazing clicks Sandhya. I was scolling up and down the post drooling over the clicks. I love pannacotta too and make it quite often. Luckily I have an Asian store close by that sells agar powder and I always make sure I have some in the pantry. Good for you to find the veg gelatin in your local store.
Dolphia Nandi-Arnstein says
Sandhya,
You're one of the bloggers I love and admire. I love these pannacotta shots more than anything, but I won't serve them in a tea caddy as it is more of a dessert. My favorite is 2,3,4 and 5. I am also not a big fan of mismatched cutlery - that being said that rose spoon is envy-worthy (I wish I had that). If you had more of that, how about you style with them? These are just a friendly suggestion.
Once again, these pictures say thousand words!
Love and Hugs