Honeyed Panna Cotta With Dried Figs And Sauternes Recipes

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat the half-and-half over medium-low until it just begins to simmer. Turn off heat. Add sugar, stir to dissolve, then add lemon peel, salt and almond extract, and let steep while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
• Meanwhile, put gelatin in a small bowl and add 3 tablespoons cold water. Let dissolve, mashing with a spoon to prevent lumps, about 5 minutes. Add to the half-and-half mixture, and whisk well to incorporate.
• Using a fine-meshed sieve, strain into a measuring cup with a spout. Pour mixture into 4 (4-ounce) ramekins, tea cups or wine glasses. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. (It is a good idea to make the panna cotta several hours ahead or up to 2 days in advance.)
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Make the compote: In a small, wide skillet, a gratin dish, or a pie pan, arrange the berries, then the figs cut-side-up. Sprinkle with the granulated sugar and the kirsch or Calvados. Roast, uncovered until juicy, with most of the liquid evaporated, about 40 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• To serve panna cotta, run a knife around edge of the ramekins, then invert them over a soup plate or dessert dish. Shake gently to unmold. Surround panna cotta with fruit and roasting juices. (Alternatively, serve in the ramekin or wine glass with fruit on top.)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the cream, sugar, and vanilla bean and seeds to a simmer in a medium pan. Stir in the gelatin and remove from heat. In a second bowl, whisk the yogurt until smooth. Strain the warm vanilla cream, discarding the vanilla bean, and add to the yogurt, whisking to combine. Pour into 6 small ramekins or serving dishes and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Spray a grill with nonstick grill spray (a grill pan can be used) and bring to medium-high heat. Just before serving, grill the fig halves and nectarine slices just until grill marks appear and fruit is warm and lightly caramelized, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from the grill or grill pan, drizzle with honey, and serve on top of panna cotta.

Steps:

• Place the cream, vanilla bean, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat.
• Remove the vanilla bean and split lengthwise. Scrape the vanilla beans into the cream.
• Squeeze the gelatin leaves to remove any excess water, then add them to the pan, stirring constantly about 30 seconds, or until the gelatin is melted.
• Drizzle about 2 teaspoons honey into the bottom of 6 (4-ounce) molds. Ladle the cream mixture into each. Refrigerate for several hours, until thoroughly chilled.
• To remove from the mold: Dip the bottom of the mold into a pot of hot water to loosen the panna cotta. Slide a knife around the edge, then carefully turn over onto a serving plate. Drizzle with the remaining honey and garnish with hazelnuts, if desired.

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice and water, and set aside.
• Place 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over water, and let soften for 10 minutes.
• Place heavy cream and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Add gelatin mixture, and stir until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to 1-quart measuring cup.
• Place measuring cup in the ice bath, and whisk cream mixture until cool, 6 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Pour mixture into six 6-ounce ramekins or glasses. Chill until set, about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
• While contents of the ramekins set, make the caramel: Spread remaining cup sugar evenly in the bottom of a heavy skillet, and place over medium-high heat. Let sugar melt without stirring, until the bottom layer is completely melted and the edges begin to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Tilt and swirl the pan to distribute the sugar evenly. Stir with a wooden spoon until all sugar is melted and dark amber. Stir in 1/2 cup warm water and bourbon. Stir until combined, and remove from heat to cool to room temperature.
• To unmold panna cotta, dip ramekins in warm water. Run a paring knife around edges of panna cotta to break seal, and invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate. Dessert will slowly slide out. Garnish with figs and caramel. Serve. You can keep panna cotta, covered in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to three days. It should be eaten quite cold; remove it from the refrigerator just before serving. At times of the year when figs are out of season, drizzle the custard with chocolate sauce, or top it with fresh berries.