Saturday, June 20, 2015

Lemon Honey Panna Cotta


Lemon Honey Panna Cotta

For the panna cotta:
¼ cup fresh lemon juice 
2 ¼ tsp gelatin 
1 cup whipping cream 
½ cup fine granulated sugar 
¼ cup honey 
Zest of 1 lemon 
1/8 tsp (pinch) salt 
2 cups low-fat or no-fat unsweetened yogurt 
1 tsp pure lemon extract 
½ tsp pure vanilla extract 
¾ cup apricot jam 
1 tbsp honey 
1 tbsp Limoncello 
Zest of ½ lemon 
Make the panna cotta:
Pour the lemon juice into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over. Let soften for a couple of minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the whipping cream, sugar, honey, lemon zest, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the cream is hot. Remove from the heat and whisk in the softened gelatin; whisk until the gelatin dissolves. Set aside.
Place the yogurt in a large liquid-measuring cup (a spout will make it easier to pour later). Add the lemon and vanilla extracts and whisk to combine and lighten the yogurt. Gradually, whisk in the hot cream-gelatin mixture. Divide the mixture equally between 12 4-oz bowls, glasses or ramekins. Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Right before serving or close to the serving time, combine the jam, tablespoon of honey, and Limoncello in a small microwave-safe bowl. Warm the mixture gently, so it’s barely warm to the touch, then put it through a fine-mesh sieve. Stir in the lemon zest. Divide the jam mixture equally between the panna cotta, gently spread the jam. Please, note that the jam should be spreadable but not hot; otherwise, it will melt the panna cotta. Serve right away or refrigerate until needed.