Get your hands on this Zesty Blueberry Panna Cotta with Coconut and Macadamia Nuts
Talk about a sexy dessert!
Back when I first started Flavors Catering in the 90s, panna cotta was always a fan-favorite with all of my clients. Can you blame them? It’s creamy, decadent and tastes delicious with just about anything in your kitchen.
You can’t go wrong!
As someone who LOVES to entertain, I always look for desserts that aren’t too complicated, but always look gourmet. Believe me, no one is going to question your skills with a restaurant-quality dessert like panna cotta. The silky smooth dessert checks off everything on my list. You can keep it light and fruity in the summer or rich and indulgent in the winter.
I have a spectacular panna cotta recipe for you that was inspired by my cabaret director Mark Nadler. I loved his idea of adding blueberries inside and sprinkling crunchy macadamia nuts on top. So inventive, just like him! I promise it’ll be a knockout on your dessert table all year long. This recipe is tart, tangy, crunchy and sweet with a combination of lime juice, blueberries, coconut and macadamia nuts. Get ready for some serious praise once you break out this creamy treat at your next dinner party!
Ingredients
Panna Cotta
- 2 packets gelatin
- 6 tablespoons water
- 2 pints heavy cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 limes
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 kosher salt
- 1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed and picked through to remove any stems or bad berries
Ginger Nut Crumble
- 1/2 cup macadamiannuts
- 2 tablespoons candied ginger
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
Panna Cotta
- In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in water, and stir to eliminate any lumps.
- In another small bowl, zest 3 of the limes and add juice from all four limes.
- Distribute the blueberries into 12 panna cotta molds on top of a sheet tray.
- In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, whisk together the heavy cream and sugar, until it's dissolved. Cook the cream until there are tiny little bubbles foaming around the edges--a light simmer. Add the gelatin, stirring constantly so that the bottom doesn't burn. Remove from heat.
- Add vanilla and 2 healthy pinches of salt to the cream. Stir the cream vigorously to add the lime juice and zest without curdling. Once it's combined, taste the mixture to make sure that you're happy with the flavor.
- Ladle the mixture into the molds, while continuing to stir it to reduce any clumping. Place the tray into your refrigerator to set. At least 4 hours, and up to a day in advance of when you will be serving them.
- When ready to serve the panna cotta, remove them from the fridge and have a bowl of hot water ready. Dip the molds into the hot water for 3 seconds each and then flip onto their serving plates. They should unmold very quickly. Top with crumble and serve alongside sorbet.
Ginger-Nut Crumble
- Toast the macadamia nuts in a small saute pan. Remove them from heat and toast the coconut in same pan.
- Finely chop the candied ginger and macadamia nuts and toss in a small bowl with the toasted coconut and a sprinkle of salt. Set aside and top panna cotta when ready to serve.
The next time you make panna cotta, get creative with your ingredients!
Once the weather warms up, take a stroll to your local farmer’s market and pick out a few of your favorite herbs, spices and fruits. You might discover the next winning panna cotta combination!
