When quarantine first began, way back in the middle of March, the one thing I was actually looking forward to was the time to bake and cook freely for myself. Yes, I cook everyday but with my event work and holiday baking, finding the time to cook more elaborate dishes or bake sweets that I would actually eat and then calmly style, photograph and write about them — that time was hard to come by for a long time. I made a lot of breads, which of course included neopolitan style pizzas {my favorite}, spicy spicy thai inspired noodles, and effortless pies and galettes that have kept the house smelling of summer’s best fruits, when it’s not so hot to turn on the oven of course…
When late Spring started warming up, and an early Summer heatwave was upon us, there was only one thing on my mind. Only one thing I seriously craved and wanted to kick back and enjoy on a hot afternoon — a classic Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta!

Delicate. That is the most perfect word to describe Panna Cotta. It is delicate and creamy, effortlessly melting in your mouth. It is never overpowering in flavor or sweetness. Nor is it ever firmly solid like Jello, trust me if it was, I wouldn’t have even made or eaten it since I do not like Jello.
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
{Makes about 6 to 8 individual servings}
Ingredients
1 tablespoon – Unflavored Gelatin
4 cup – Milk {can use Whole or 2%}
1/4 cup – Organic Cane Sugar
1/2 – Vanilla Bean {sliced in half w. seeds removed}
1 teaspoon – Pure Vanilla Extract
Recipe
In a large mixing bowl, combine the gelatin with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water enough to dissolve the powder completely. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes.
In the meantime, heat the milk, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, and extract in a medium-sized saucepan set over medium-high heat, whisking until the sugar dissolve. Once it begins to simmer, remove from heat and pour into the bowl with the gelatin. Whisk until the gelatin and milk are combined, gently scraping the bottom of the bowl to make sure none of the gelatin remains. {Note: If the milk foams up while heating, use a slotted spoon to discard the foam before proceeding with the next step}
Divide the mixture evenly between your servings glasses, whether small jars or drinking glasses. Place in the refrigerator until firm, at least 3 hours. If desired before serving, top with cinnamon, shaved chocolate, jam or fresh berries.
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