Strawberry and vanilla panna cotta with white chocolate popcorn
Panna Cotta is a classic Italian dessert. The silky smooth texture and delicate strawberries and cream flavour make it the perfect ending to a special meal. The white chocolate covered popcorn is a tasty and delicious accompaniment. You can make the popcorn ahead of time and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
How long will it take?
60 minutes, plus setting time
What’s the serving size?
Makes 6 serves
What do I need?
For the strawberry layer
- 1 tsp gelatine
- 1 tbsp cold water
- 225g fresh strawberries, hulled
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- Pinch salt
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup cream
- ½ tsp lemon juice
For the vanilla layer
- 1 tsp gelatine
- 1 tbsp cold water
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- Pinch salt
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup cream
- ¼ tsp vanilla essence
For the popcorn
- 2 cups popped popcorn
- 30g white cooking chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1 drop red food colouring
- ½ tsp butter
How do I make it?
- Begin by making the popcorn. Melt chocolate and butter in a bowl and stir until smooth.
- Add food colouring, you can add more if you prefer a darker colour.
- Pour chocolate and butter mix over popcorn and toss to coat.
- Spread popcorn on a sheet of baking paper and allow to set. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Strawberry panna cotta layer
- Sprinkle gelatine over cold water in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Combine strawberries, salt and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the berries have broken down and are syrupy. Use a spoon to mash berries as they cook.
- Strain berries through a fine sieve into a bowl.
- Return the berry puree to the saucepan and add the milk. Bring to a low simmer.
- Add gelatine mix and stir for one minute or until completely dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes before whisking in cream and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth.
- Place martini glasses or similar serving dishes on a level tray. Pour mixture into the glasses until two thirds full and carefully transfer to the fridge.
- Chill until set, at least 4 hours.
Vanilla panna cotta layer
- Sprinkle gelatine over cold water in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes.
- In a small saucepan over low heat add milk, gelatine mix, vanilla, sugar, and salt and cook until bubbles form on the side of the pan.
- Remove from heat and whisk in cream until the mixture is smooth.
- Gently pour mixture on top of strawberry panna cotta and return to the fridge to set overnight.
- Serve with the chocolate coated popcorn.
