First attempt at Panna Cotta and I'm hooked.

Oh my goodness.  I really had no idea what I was in for when I decided that I, once and for all, had to try to make Panna Cotta.  I've never eaten it, never made it, and never seen it outside pictures on other blogs but it just had to be done.  And, I am so glad I did.  The texture was so creamy, so custard-like that it was unlike anything else I've ever made.  Heavenly is the best word I have to describe it. 

I found a recipe on Allrecipes last night, and even though it was my first time, I changed it.  I'm reckless like that.  It just seemed like an extraordinary amount of cream for one recipe.  So, I read the comments and decided to chance it and cut the cream in half with milk.  Guess what?  Perfectly fine.  No complaints here! 

So, here's my recipe:

1/3 cup skim milk
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 t vanilla extract

Mix gelatin and 1/3 cup of skim milk together and set aside in separate bowl.  Bring cream, sugar and milk to a full boil over medium high heat.  Stir often and supervise well because it will boil high quickly.  Once boiling, add gelatin and milk mixture and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. 

Remove from heat, add the vanilla and put into small bowls or ramekins. It should make 6 dishes.  Cool uncovered, and then put plastic wrap over them to prevent skin from forming on the top and refrigerate until set.  This should take 4-6 hours, or overnight is best. 

I served mine with fresh blackberries and blackberry sauce but I imagine there are endless possibilities to consider.  I am ready to start really experimenting with flavor combinations...but first, maybe I'll just have another Panna Cotta.  I'm just glad the recipe makes 6 and there's only 4 of us in the family.  Someone has to be the taste tester after all.