Damsons in April and the easiest pudding

This all began with a rummage in the freezer .... I find that I'm actually quite good at filling the freezer - in fact it's a veritable wonderland of bargain buys and strange creations .... unfortunately I struggle with the bit about using them afterwards (I wonder if subconciously I think there's some strange Narnia like realm beyond the peas and in fact I am entirely responsible for the nutrition of several lost children and a regal lion - however, I digress)

While foraging in said freezer, I happened upon a tub of vibrant purple slush, which was in fact some damson puree. This was a by product of last years damson jelly making and I have previously used it to add a bit of extra oomph to apple pies! Unfortunately there are no apples to be had in the Wylde household at the moment - so this needed a new direction.

Being a bit of a foodie obsessive - I have noticed that panna cotta seems to be everywhere, barely an episode of Masterchef goes by without some form of excitingly accessorised panna cotta turning up, so I decided to have a bash myself! What a revelation - it's so easy, even I could do it without swearing! I was so impressed I thought I'd share the recipe here (and even managed a photo!)

Ingredients:

For the panna cotta

• 250ml milk 
• 250ml double cream
• 25g sugar
• 1 vanilla pod (sliced down the middle and seeds scraped out)
• 3tsp powdered gelatine (or Agar Agar for the vegetarian option)

 For the damson sauce

• 4tbs (ish) of stewed fruit - we had damson but I'm sure any soft fruit would be fab
• 1 or 2tsp sugar (to taste)
• 1 or 2tsp honey (to taste)
• 2 drops of vanilla extract 

Instructions:

Panna cotta

• Put the milk, cream, sugar, vanilla pod and seeds into a large pan and gently heat until simmering.
• Remove the vanilla pod and take the pan off the heat.
• Add the powdered gelatine and stir until disolved.
• Divide the mix between four ramekins (I used some short glass tumblers as we didn't have ramekins - just be careful and make sure they are safe for hot liquids!)
• Leave to cool then put into the fridge (I left mine for a good couple of hours to set)

Damson sauce

•  Take the stewed fruit and put in a microwavable container
• Add sugar, honey and vanilla to taste.
• Pop into the microwave for about 20 seconds.

•  Once the panna cotta is set, turn it out (If it sticks, try standing the ramekin in a dish of hot water for a minute).
• Pour over the sauce.

Perhaps the easiest pudding in the world!

 

See ... I told you it was easy (tastes great too!)

Enjoy x