Vanilla Nutella panna cotta

Let me get the obvious out of the way before you wonder if its audacity or just plain memory loss that work into my explanation of near abandoning my already erratic meet ups with you. It could be that I truly was just out. Not of station. Perhaps of mind. Ahem.. let's not delve too deep into that. But believe when I say the gratitude is deep, for you being the Faithful, checking up this page as regularly as I should have done. I know. It's too deep a shame.

Since also, we've experienced my absenteeism in the past, I understand you should not be met with  my often overdramatized life and the the tidal wave of slack I work in its midst. Neither must you hear the difficulties of powering through twenty DVR episodes, racing time so you make it soon enough to catch at least one of the kids from school. Nope. None of that here.

In spite, the one thing I must bring to your attention, is that, though an actual published page has not been effectuated of recent, a thriving yet-to-be known archive is growing to giant beanstalk levels. Yup. Unfinished and resplendent pagestobe; among which wait for One Right Visual, just maybe a  few decents(?), or lack the Ta-Da opener, sometimes even proper ingredient wording. These chronicles, bereft of one or all of the few mentioned features, are still waiting to see the light of blogger day. Thereby, while I thank you for the patience exercised in staying tuned, know that you will be rewarded, with newer uploads pushing through, albeit in slow motion.

So, for the matter at hand, and before another session of procrastination hits, shall we move on?

Today's subject recipe can easily top the list of Aaahhhmazing (linguistic stress totally intentional) Desserts of All Time. Mainly for the ease in its making, but not withholding its extremely accommodating nature as well.

What is it? Well, one that's wonderfully brilliant, in that it demonstrates how luxe taste can be achieved in less than an hour, requiring very few storage staples, sans all the pesky, numerous steps conventionally requisite of Great Desserts. It's when David Lebowitz goes at length on its overall delightful benefits, you forgo everything and pay attention.

I'm explaining cooked cream that's put into a higher than all perspective, something we should thank the Tuscan region of Italy for. This is panna cotta. A blend of one or many kinds of dairy- cream, milk, could be full, varying percents, skim, a pour/splash of half and half- that are elemental choices enabling for panna cotta to reach a destiny of soft, buttery pudding or thickly luxe like custard formation. These being the dependent variables (vocab results of reviewing my 5th grader for his science test) of the type of white liquid used. Silky mouthfeel, firm to touch and room for the slightest wobble are the dessert's uniform attributes, things that should result 100% of the time, despite any panna cotta recipe you try .

The love of creamy vanilla panna cotta cast glorious dreams of the newest yet(!) update charged with mentals of unadulterated, pure white cream. Then I saw this. My hope rose astronomically. Prior cooking experience telling me that dividing flavors and colors can only intensify the whole deal, making appeal to at least three of my twenty-one  senses.

Myexisting half jar of the world's favorite spreadable candy was not enough, especially since gratifying licks on opening are truly mandatory. So, in sheer glee, I utilized my limit four buy-one/get-one coupon. Life is good when you have multiple kitchen shelves lined with 13 oz. Nutella jars. 

In the quickest, most efficient lessthanfifteen I've ever experienced, my first batch of panna cotta was done and refrigerated. On the 45 minute interval for sturdying the white layer and finishing off half a movie that was tying up my malayalam matinee que, I took on same bowl and single saucepan for my chocolate layer. Heated, stirred and poured over the first, that too finished in a second's breath. It was the wait for finished product that was seemingly unbearable. Clocking in at 1 hour 45 minutes, I encountered the greatest and dreamiest cup of dairy, rich and velvety, perfect center jiggle and oh so pretty.

Panna cotta's fantastic flavor truly does belie its absolute simplicity. Sweet, satisfying and swift reinforced in each and every bite of this two-in-one sequence.

I won't crowd your thoughts with furthers of my experience. I'll let it justify itself. Observe and take notes. The Fine One has much to say.

For the love of vanilla. 

Get creative with your gelatined cream. Here, kitchen towels rolled and purposed for troublefree slants.

Nuts add texture, taste and looks.

(Thanks Pretty Little Crumbs for the inspiration
Vanilla layer~
Ingredients:

• ⅓ c milk
• 1 envelope or 2 ¼ tsp powdered gelatin
• 2 ½ c heavy cream
• ½ c sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Nutella layer~

Ingredients:

• ½ c milk
• 1 envelope powdered or 2 ¼ tsp powdered gelatin
• 2 c heavy cream
• ⅓ c sugar
• ½ c nutella

Directions:

• In a bowl, pour in the 1/3 c cold milk for the. Sprinkle gelatin over milk. After a few minutes stir to combine.
• Heat the heavy cream and sugar in a saucepan or microwave. Do not to boil. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat.
• Pour the gelatin and milk into the hot cream mixture. Stir to dissolve all the gelatin.
• Add vanilla and stir.
• Divide the pudding into oiled or buttered molds, if inverting onto plates; ramekins, or decorative goblets, glass dishes if serving as is.
• Refrigerate and allow to semi set, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour before starting on the Nutella layer.
• Repeat the directions for the vanilla, sprinkling gelatin in 1/2 c milk and heating the cream mixture with sugar. Add in the Nutella to the cream mixture. Once heated and well combined, take off flame.
• Pour the gelatin/milk into the Nutella cream.
• Have the Nutella panna cotta cool to the touch before pouring/layering over the now firm vanilla panna cotta.
• Refrigerate and let set for 2-4 hours before serving.

Makes approximately 8-10 assorted sized servings.

Notes~

You can use full fat milk here. I use skim milk to cut some of the richness. If you prefer a thicker full-bodied pudding, swap cream/half and half for the milk.

Crumbled cashews and pistachios in my chocolate layer. To me the bite combined with the silk of spooned cream is unbeatable.

If using sheet gelatin, know that 1 packet powdered gelatin renders .25  ounces which would be around 5-6 sheets.

Today's makeshift studio and Rocky, the tireless food watch (albeit lying down and in wait of a reward). What can I say? He loves his job ;-D
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"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalms 16:11 (ESV)