Vanilla Panna Cotta

The other weekend the boyfriend and I were out at dinner at a great restaurant in Beaver Creek.  When the dessert menu came, they had panna cotta (one of my favorites). After placing our order for this wonderful dessert, we were told they didn't have anymore that night. Heartbroken we settled on chocolate cake, which was great, and on the house. 
Since I was craving panna cotta, I decided to find a recipe online and try to make it at home. It turned out to be such an easy recipe. 


What You Need:


3 tablespoons water


1 tablespoon powdered gelatin


4 cups heavy cream


1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise


1/2 cup sugar


Mixed berries


Directions:


In a small bowl, combine the water and gelatin and let soak about 10 minutes (do not stir). 


While the gelatin is soaking, in a medium saucepan, heat the cream, one half vanilla bean and sugar to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once it simmers, turn off the heat and add the gelatin mixture, stirring to dissolve the gelatin. 
If the gelatin doesn't dissolve all the way in 3 minutes, turn the heat back on to warm it until the gelatin dissolves. Pour the mixture into 6 to 8 ramekins or dessert cups. Chill, uncovered, 2 hours.

To serve, dip the cups in hot water for 10 seconds, then turn upside down onto dessert plates (or, serve in the cups). Surround each panna cotta with berries.