“Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made. If you want a different result, make a different choice.” ~ unknown.
More than halfway through the journey of my life and I feel good about most of the choices that I made. Of tying the knot with the man I loved, leaving a lucrative corporate job for taking care of my children and then crossing the boundaries of my comfort zone to learning and reaching out for newer and richer experiences in life. And what a wonderful journey it has turned out to be!
The online journey which started with my blog Lite Bite in 2009 with a strong passion for food, few recipes, a pocket size camera and an absolute zero web knowledge has completely changed my world. Working on my blog has taught me pick up new skill sets and overcome my fears of technology and most importantly giving me satisfaction of doing ‘something’.
Acknowledgements at every point in life go a long way to increase confidence and belief in your abilities. ‘India Today’, a prestigious mainstream magazine of India featured me and a recipe from Lite Bite in its August 2013 issue recently.
As featured in ‘India Today’
A couple of close friends spotted me in ‘India Today’ and demanded an instant treat. Keeping in mind the choices of flavors (coffee/oarnge/vanilla) of most of my friends I made a few versions of easy Panna Cotta and set them in individual glasses.
Though I am not a lactose intolerant, I sometimes like Soy milk in my coffee and tried pairing both to make Panna Cotta for this occasion. And to my surprise Coffee Panna Cotta was my best bet. The taste could have been more intense and stronger had I used the filter coffee decoction and not the instant coffee powder for the recipe.
This traditional Italian eggless dessert called Panna Cotta is a combination of warm cream, sugar and a setting agent. The wobbly and creamy texture is what makes a perfect Panna Cotta and the amount of setting agent used in the recipe decides the fate of a good Panna Cotta.
Agar or gelatin added in any dessert makes the dish harder and firmer with time. Reduce the amount of agar in the recipe if you are making it ahead of time. This light and flavorful dessert is a perfect ending to a cozy family dinner any time.
1.Coconut Milk Orange Panna Cotta
Ingredients;
2 cups coconut milk
1 cup cream
3/4th cup castor sugar
21/2 tsp. agar-agar
1 vanilla bean
Method; Heat coconut milk slightly and add sugar in it. Scrap the vanilla bean if using and add it in the coconut milk.
Peel the orange and remove pith and threads from each section. Pinch each orange slice into small pieces.
Add agar powder to warm coconut milk and mix well to dissolve it. Let it stand for about ten minutes to cool it completely.
Pour fresh cream (I used Amul cream) and add orange pieces in the cool coconut milk mixture.
Grease 4 ramekins and pour the Panna cotta mixture in each. Refrigerate the ramekins overnight before serving the Coconut milk Orange Panna cotta.
If you want to invert the Panna Cotta and serve in a separate dish, grease the ramekins slightly with oil before setting it in refrigerator.
Run a sharp knife around the edged and invert the ramekin on to a plate.
2. Coffee Panna Cotta
Ingredients;
2 cups Soy milk
4 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. instant coffee powder
2 tsp. agar-agar powder
2 tbsp. caramel sauce (optional)
Method; Heat soy milk to lukewarm temperature, add sugar and agar-agar powder in it. Let it stand for ten minutes.
Add coffee powder in the cool panna cotta mixture and mix well.
Pour the mixture in small ramekins, bowls or glasses and refrigerate to set for about 4-5 hours.
If you want to invert the Panna Cotta and serve in a separate dish, grease the ramekins slightly with oil before setting it in refrigerator. Run a sharp knife around the edged and invert the ramekin on to a plate.
To make caramel, heat 2 tbsp. suagr directly in a hot pan till it turns golden brown in colour. Pour a few drops of warm water to make it runny. Pour this caramel over the coffee Panna cotta on each individual serving bowl before serving.
3. Buttermilk Vanilla Panna cotta
Ingredients;
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup plain milk
1/4 cup honey/sugar
2 tbsp. water
2 tsp. agar-agar powder
1 vanilla pod
Method; Heat milk and take it off the stove. Add sugar or honey, scraped vanilla pod and dissolved agar powder in it. Stir until sugar and agar powder is dissolved.
Cool the Panna Cotta mixture to lukewarm temperature and add buttermilk (thin consistency curd/yogurt) in it. Pour the mixture in small ramekins, bowls or glasses and refrigerate to set for about 4-5 hours.
If you want to invert the Panna Cotta and serve in a separate dish, grease the ramekins slightly with oil before setting it in refrigerator. Run a sharp knife around the edged and invert the ramekin on to a plate.
Serve these light and easy desserts with fresh fruits, or any fruit sauces or compote. Try some of these delicious Panna Cotta recipes from the net;
Creamy Buttermilk Panna Cotta
Panna Cotta with pomogranate Jelly
Dairy free soy milk Panna Cotta
Notes;
The buttermilk Panna Cotta will be slightly tangy in taste, feel free to substitute the buttermilk with milk or cream if you wish.
Wrap the set Panna Cotta with a cling foil to avoid the thick skin from forming over the top.
Replace vanilla beans with vanilla extract if you can’t find it.
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