Ingredients

The following ingredients have 9 Servings
  • 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin powder (1 packet plus 1 teaspoon)
  • 3 cups heavy cream, divided
  • 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt
  • 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 vanilla Bean, sliced down the middle
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 4 pints fresh strawberries (8 cups)
  • 5 tablespoons balsamic Vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • Fresh mint or basil sprigs

Instruction

  • Put 4 tablespoons cold water into a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top and stir to combine. In a large bowl whisk together 1½ cups of the cream with the yogurt (2 cups) and vanilla extract (1½ teaspoons). With a small sharp knife, scrape out the seeds from the vanilla bean halves and add them to the mixture.
  • In a small pot, heat the remaining 1½ cups of cream with the sugar (3/4 cup), over medium heat, stirring, until it just starts to simmer and the sugar melts. Remove it from the heat, add the gelatin and stir to dissolve. Pour the hot cream-gelatin mixture into the cold mixture and whisk to combine. Ladle about 4 ounces of the mixture into each ramekin or glass. Let them cool slightly, then put them into the fridge, uncovered, until fully cooled. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for up to two days.
  • Thinly slice the strawberries (1/4-inch slices). You can slice them and keep them in the fridge up to four hours before serving. A half hour to an hour before serving put the strawberries into a large bowl with the balsamic vinegar (5 tablespoons), sugar (2 tablespoons), and black pepper (1/2 teaspoon). Toss gently and leave them to macerate, at room temperature, for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour. Un-mold the panna cottas by running a small knife around the inside of each ramekin a few times to loosen them. Tilt them onto individual dessert plates. Top them with macerated strawberries and spoon any remaining balsamic sauce on top. Add mint or basil sprigs to garnish, if you like. If you're serving these in glasses, just add the macerated strawberries on top and garnish before serving.