Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey Poached Pears
Try this Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey Poached Pears recipe
Try this Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey Poached Pears recipe
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- juice of 1 large lemon
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- pinch sea salt
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
- for lavender panna cotta:
- one package gelatin
- 1 teaspoon lavender buds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1/2 vanilla bean scraped)
- for honey poached pears:
- 3 slightly under-ripe pears cored and peeled, cut into quarters
- peel of one large lemon cut into strips (i used a
- 1 teaspoon lavender buds
- 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise down the middle
- for candied lemon peel:
- reserved poaching liquid only pears removed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar or evaporated cane juice
- Carbohydrate 7.75108750864904 g
- Cholesterol 48.1858333939217 mg
- Fat 13.0485937663633 g
- Fiber 0.0454583340287132 g
- Protein 0.967079167600278 g
- Saturated Fat 8.11252855185259 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -8 (95g)
- Sodium 4693.97659671867 mg
- Sugar 7.70562917462033 g
- Trans Fat 0.686253750843818 g
- Calories 147 calories
Step-by-step
- For panna cotta: Have ready 6-8 custard cups or ramekins. (You can lightly oil them if you plan on turning them out onto a plate, it helps them release better.) Place the ramekins in a 9- by 13-inch baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
- Place the cold water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Let soften for 5-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine heavy cream, milk, sugar, and lavender in a medium saucepan. Heat gently, stirring to dissolve sugar, until the mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add the softened gelatin.
- Place back on the stove and heat gently until the gelatin is completely dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup with a spout.
- Pour about ½ cup of the mixture into the ramekins. (There might be some leftover depending on the size of the ramekins.) Let stand until cooled to room temperature, then cover the ramekins with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for several hours to chill until set.
- For honey poached pears: Place the pears, water, honey, lemon juice and peel, lavender and vanilla bean in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook until pears are just tender, stirring occasionally and making sure the bottom doesn't burn. (If it does start to burn, the heat is way too high. It should just barely simmer.) The pears will probably need between 30-45 minutes to properly poach. Check for doneness by inserting the tip of a sharp knife into one of the pears. If it goes in easily, then the pears are done. If not, cook for a few more minutes.
- Remove the pears and place them in a bowl to cool. Reserve the poaching liquid and other ingredients.
- For the candied lemon peel: Bring the poaching liquid to a boil and then lower the heat a bit and continue cooking until the liquid reduces and becomes syrupy, an additional 15 minutes or so. Remove the lemon peel from the syrup, letting as much of the syrup drip back into the pan as possible. Reserve the remaining syrup to use as a sauce when serving.
- Place the sugar in a shallow bowl and add the lemon peel to the bowl and roll until coated. Set the zest aside to finish cooling. You may need to roll them in the sugar several times. Set them aside until serving time.
- To serve: Either serve the panna cotta still in the ramekin, or carefully loosen it from the mold with a thin knife and turn upside down on a plate. Top with 3-4 pear slices and drizzle with some of the syrup and top with a few strips of candied lemon peel.
A Touch of Lavender and Honey: My Simple Panna Cotta Perfection
As a busy professional, finding time for elaborate cooking is a luxury I rarely afford myself. Yet, I crave moments of simple elegance, of creating something beautiful and delicious without sacrificing precious hours. That's where this Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey Poached Pears recipe comes in. It's deceptively simple, yet the result is a dessert that feels utterly sophisticated, perfect for a quiet evening at home or an impressive yet effortless addition to a dinner party.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its elegance and ease. The panna cotta itself requires minimal effort; the gentle simmering of cream, milk, and lavender infuses a delicate floral aroma, a soothing fragrance that calms the senses. The honey-poached pears offer a sweet counterpoint, their soft texture melting in the mouth, a comforting warmth against the cool creaminess of the panna cotta. The subtle candied lemon peel adds a delightful zing, a bright burst of citrus that awakens the palate.
I love the versatility of this dessert. It’s easily adaptable to my mood and the season. In the summer, I might use fresh, juicy pears, letting the sweetness of the fruit shine. In the colder months, I opt for slightly underripe pears, their firmer texture holding up beautifully. The lavender, too, can be adjusted. If you prefer a more pronounced lavender flavor, add a little extra. If you’re more subtle, you can reduce the amount accordingly. The key is to experiment and find your perfect balance of floral and sweet.
The process is remarkably straightforward. The panna cotta sets beautifully in the refrigerator, allowing me to prepare it well in advance. The honey-poached pears simmer gently on the stove, their fragrance filling the kitchen with a comforting warmth. And the candied lemon peel, a simple yet elegant touch, adds that extra layer of finesse.
Beyond the ease of preparation, this dessert holds a special place in my heart. It represents moments of calm amidst the whirlwind of daily life. It's a small act of self-care, a delicious reward for a busy day. It's a reminder that even amidst the chaos, there's always time for a touch of sweetness, a moment of quiet enjoyment.
This Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey Poached Pears is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. It's a sensory journey that transports you to a place of tranquility, a place where the delicate aroma of lavender mingles with the sweetness of honey and pears. It's a simple pleasure, a quiet moment of bliss, a reminder to savor the small things in life.
Serving Suggestions:
While this dessert stands beautifully on its own, I often enhance it with a few extra touches. A sprinkle of chopped pistachios adds a pleasing crunch and a hint of nutty flavor. A drizzle of extra honey adds further sweetness, while a dusting of powdered sugar offers a delicate sweetness.
Feel free to experiment with different variations. You can substitute other fruits for the pears, such as apricots or peaches. You can also try using different herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, to create unique flavor combinations.
Ultimately, this recipe is a canvas for your creativity. It’s a starting point, a foundation upon which you can build your own personal masterpiece. So, experiment, explore, and enjoy the process of creating something beautiful and delicious.
This Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey Poached Pears is a recipe that I return to time and time again. It’s a constant source of comfort and joy, a reminder that even amidst the pressures of daily life, there's always time for a little indulgence, a little sweetness, a little lavender-infused happiness.
