Panna Cotta is an Italian dessert made with milk and cream. This easy and delicious panna cotta recipe is made without gelatin and thus a vegetarian version of panna cotta. To set the dessert agar agar is used instead of gelatin.
Do note that both the agar agar solution and the cream mixture should be hot when mixed with each other. So cook both simultaneously.
Making agar agar liquid
First take the 2 tablespoons finely chopped agar agar strands in a small sauce pan. Do cut the agar agar strands in small or tiny pieces.
Add hot water.
Mix and let the agar agar strands soak in hot water for 5 minutes.
Then keep the agar agar and water mixture on a low heat. Keep on stirring the agar agar solution and let it cook till the agar agar strands are dissolved.
Continue to stir often when cooking this solution.
Switch off the heat when all the agar agar strands have dissolved. You will see a clear solution.
Making vanilla panna cotta mixture
Meanwhile mix the light cream (or whipping or heavy cream) and whole milk in a pan or saucepan.
Add sugar.
Keep the saucepan on the stovetop on a low to low-medium heat. Stir with a wired whisk. The sugar should dissolve completely.
Keep on stirring at intervals while the cream mixture comes to a gentle boil.
The mixture should just come to a gentle boil. Then turn off the heat.
Add the vanilla extract. If using vanilla essence, then add 1 teaspoon of it. Mix very well.
Now add the hot agar agar liquid to the hot cream and milk mixture. Both the agar agar solution and the cream mixture should be hot when you mix them.
Mix again very well with a wired whisk.
Setting panna cotta
Pour the hot panna cotta mixture in bowls. If you plan to unmould the panna cotta, then grease the bowls with some neutral tasting oil like sunflower oil.
Cover the bowls with aluminium foil or lids. When the panna cotta mixture becomes warm or comes to room temperature, then place the bowls in the fridge to set for 4 to 5 hours or overnight.
After setting, the panna cotta will have a gentle wobble on it. Serve Panna Cotta once it is set as is or topped with your favorite fruits or berries or drizzled with a fruit sauce or coulis.
Notes
Liquids Temperature: Both the agar agar solution and the cream mixture should be hot when you mix them. In case one of them cools or becomes warm, follow these instructions:
For agar agar – on cooling the agar agar sets and becomes gelatinous, so add some hot water and reheat it with continuous stirring. You can also use a hot water bath.
For the cream mixture – gently reheat this mixture on a low flame till its hot.
Cream: Instead of light cream, feel free to make panna cotta with whipping cream or heavy cream.
Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar as needed.
Setting Time: Let the panna cotta set completely before you serve it. Depending on your fridge settings it can take 4 to 5 hours or 9 to 12 hours for it to set.
Vegan option: For a vegan version of panna cotta, use coconut cream and almond milk.
Agar agar: The amount of agar agar used in the recipe will give you a panna cotta that sets nicely and is firm. So this is best served in a bowl or a small dessert glass. If you want to unmould and serve then I would suggest adding 3 tablespoons chopped agar agar strands instead of 2 tablespoons as mentioned in the recipe.