Vanilla Panna Cotta

I can honestly say I have never had panna cotta before this. And I am SO SAD to have missed out on such a great cool treat! Seriously! It is SO GOOD! It is light, creamy, mild, and very refreshing. This recipe was originally given to me by a lady I know (Thanks Jeri!), and though I tweaked it a bit, the recipe is still just as fabulous!

The ingredients:
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 heaping cup sugar
1 (1/4 oz.) packet unflavored gelatin

The Instructions:
1. Put 3 tbsp. water in a small bowl, pour gelatin over the top and mix. Let the gelatin dissolve in the water.
2. Heat sugar, milks and cream in a saucepan until sugar dissolves (don't boil or let it get too hot).
3. Add gelatin to milk/cream mixture and whisk to make sure it is completely incorporated with no lumps. Add vanilla.

4. Let mixture sit for 15 minutes.

5. Divide cream mixture between 4-5 ramekins (or other serving dishes). Place in fridge until set- may take up to 6 hours so plan ahead!

6. Serve with fresh fruit ( 2 cups cleaned, prepared fruit, mixed with 1/4c. sugar-- refridgerate for 2 or more hours), or jam/fruit syrup. (I used some homemade raspberry jam for some, and apricot syrup for others. Both were FANTASTIC!)


To serve you can either leave it in the ramekin or place serving dish by running a butter knife around the edge before inverting it onto the plate. (Thanks to Jeri for the pictures!)