Sunday, October 12, 2008

Panna Cotta

I am writing this post from Olympia. Remy, the kids and I drove up to visit with family and to celebrate B's birthday.

We made our ritual pilgimage to Ramblin' Jacks for lunch. While there, we shared a bottle of wine and asked B what she wanted for her bday dinner & dessert. B didn't want a traditional bday cake. She couldn't decide what to have for dinner either. So...I asked her: "What is your favorite food in all the world? A giant bulb of roasted garlic with olive oil. Right?" She agreed that was indeed her favorite (with wine & cheese on the side). So...that solved dinner for the adults (kids get chicken). Then I asked her another rhetorical question: "Is there any other dessert you love more than panna cotta?" She couldn't come up with an answer. So....dinner & dessert were decided by moi.



Hangin' out at Ramblin' Jacks
After that exchange we enjoyed our lunch and ran to watch my niece, Sammee (8 yrs old), 'cheer' at a football game. My sister, Cynthia, is the cheer coach.
Go team!

Ra! Ra! Ra!
Bad-ass Coach Kerans! You Will Cheer or get off my team! We are ALL about teamwork! Coach is her middle name (her quote, not mine!).

B & Tom decided to try a new restaurant in town called SWING. Sounds good and I will need to check it out next time I am in town. So, while B & Tom were out & about, the rest of us hung out at Grammy & Papa's and caught up with my other sister Cynthia. Then, at 10:00 p.m., I ran to Top Foods to get the ingredients for panna cotta (I forgot to earlier). Top Foods is undergoing a big remodel and I couldn't find anything. After shopping, I drove back home and started making the p.c. while my dad watched me. It was so quick & easy and smelled so darn good.

We let the p.c. cool and then B & Tom finally returned home. They gave Swing 2 thumbs up and said the food was delicious & the drinks 'potent.' I woke up this a.m. and saw the p.c. had set and looked lovely. I wish I had made an 'extra' to sample (just to make sure it tasted alright).

We are having B's party today and then the kids, Remy & I will head home to see Omid. We've missed him.

But...while you are waiting for photos....here is the quick & easy Panna Cotta recipe if you want to try it.

Panna Cotta

1/3 cup milk
1 envelope Knox gelatin
2.5 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
1.5 tsp. vanilla

Pour milk & Knox into a bowl (stir slightly) & set aside. Stir the sugar into the cream (in a saucepan) and bring to a full boil. Pour the milk/Knox mixture into the cream and cook for one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Pour into ramekins or dessert glasses and let cool to room temperature. Place in fridge (at least 4 hours & overnight is best).

***This is the plain recipe as B doesn't like anything mixed into her PC. I always add blueberries or raspberries to the bottom of my dessert glass and then pour the PC over the berries. It makes for a nice surprise at the bottom. Enjoy!

I know the p.c. looks like a glass of milk, but it's not! It really is p.c.

1 comment:

The Rinkels said...

I don't think I've ever had panna cotta. I've seen it before though. I might have to try that. I haven't heard of SWING either. You're full of Goings on in Olympia today!