Honey & Lavender Panna Cotta

Susan, AKA Kiwicook
Susan, AKA Kiwicook

Susan, AKA Kiwicook

In her days as a recipe developer, Susan has created over 450 recipes. Her Dutch and New Zealander roots serve as a basis for her culinary inspiration.

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HONEY & LAVENDER PANNA COTTA

Bear with me while I wax lyrical for a minute about lavender. There’s something rather magical about this simple flower which has stood the test of time – it’s been used medicinally and cosmetically for well over 2000 years and to this day it still captivates and inspires.

New Zealand has a number of thriving lavender farms, thanks to our temperate climate and excellent soil. Luckily I live quite close to one (the Lavender Creek Farm in Te Horo, Kapiti) and every year attend its ‘open day’ just to spend time drinking in the beauty of lavender en masse and, of course, the heady scent. The event attracts lots of visitors and, with its backdrop of hills and view of the sea, the location is a big draw-card.

HONEY & LAVENDER PANNA COTTA 2

If I could live on a lavender farm, I’d be one happy camper. But reality dictates that I get my lavender fix in more mundane ways. Throughout the year I regularly use lavender oil (bought from the lavender farm above) in my aromatherapy burner – I find it enormously soothing and, as most everyone knows, it’s a great sleep inducer!. Then, of course, in the spring and summer I get to enjoy lavender in my own garden.

So, with summer just around the corner and the lavender flowers blooming, I thought it would be kind of fun to try a bit of lavender in my cooking. I did a search for recipes using lavender and was taken with this delightful recipe from The Kitchn.com. It combines three favourite things for me – Panna Cotta (surely one of Italy’s greatest desserts), honey (which I adore and use every day), and of course lavender.

If you’ve never tried Panna Cotta, you’re in for a treat. That quivering, silky light custard that slides down your throat like a cool breeze is simply heavenly. And, remarkably, it only takes about 10 minutes to prepare – you basically heat up the cream/milk mixture, add some gelatin to it and then chill it in the fridge. So quick and simple… but, it has to be said, a little bit tricksy. The balance of cream to milk, the length of chilling time and the amount of gelatin all conspire to deliver one of three outcomes: a flowing river of unset cream, a rubber bullet or, if the gods are with us, a perfect wobbly confection that just manages to hold its shape when you unmold it. Could anything be more satisfying?

And so it was with this recipe – a perfect Panna Cotta, tasting and smelling predominantly of honey with the slightest hint of lavender, both floral and slightly spicy. Don’t worry about the dessert smelling like your granny’s underwear drawer – the lavender is only briefly steeped in hot milk/cream before being strained. Go on.. give it a try. You know you want to.

HONEY & LAVENDER PANNA COTTA

Honey Lavender Panna Cotta

The Honey & Lavender Panna Cotta recipe is a delightful dessert that combines the silky texture of panna cotta with the aromatic flavors of honey and a hint of lavender. This simple yet elegant dish requires minimal preparation, offering a perfect balance of floral and sweet notes, ideal for a sophisticated dessert experience.
4 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chilling Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 186 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • tsp powdered gelatin
  • 1 tbsp cold water
  • 1 cup half and half or cream
  • 1/4 cup wildflower honey
  • 1 tsp dried lavender buds
  • 1 cup milk
  • Strawberries or other berries, to serve

Instructions
 

  • Lightly oil 4 x 5-ounce ramekins with baking spray or flavourless oil, then with a paper towel wipe most of it out, leaving only a slight residue. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let soften for about 5 minutes. Place the bowl of softened gelatin in a small saucepan. Add enough boiling water to the saucepan to come three-quarters of the way up the side of the bowl. Use a fork to whisk the mixture until the gelatin dissolves. Alternatively, microwave the softened gelatin for 10-15 seconds (don’t let it boil) and stir to dissolve fully – rub a little between your fingers to ensure there are no grains.
  • In a small sauce pan add the cream, honey, and dried lavender and, stirring occasionally, heat gently to scalding point (but don’t boil) then take off the heat. Whisk to incorporate all the honey evenly. Add the dissolved gelatin into the cream mixture and whisk making sure it is well incorporated. Finally, whisk in the milk.
  • Strain the mixture into a jug and pour into the ramekins and let them sit until the mixture is completely cooled to room temperature.
  • Cover the custards lightly with foil and put in the fridge to set for several hours, or overnight (particularly if you intend to unmold them).
  • Take the custards out of the fridge and let them stand for about 15 minutes. Gently run a small palette knife around the outsides of the custards, then place your serving dish over top of the ramekin and invert. It might need a little shake for the pudding to plop out. If it’s proving stubborn, dip the bottom of the ramekin into some hot water briefly and try again.
  • Garnish with sliced strawberries and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 183mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 317IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword Honey Lavender Panna Cotta, Panna Cotta
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Susan, AKA Kiwicook
About The Author
Susan, also known as the Kiwi Cook, hails from Levin, New Zealand, and has a unique Kiwi-Dutch-British heritage that influenced her culinary upbringing. As an artist, tutor, writer, and editor, Susan dedicates her weekends to creating delectable dishes. Her food philosophy embraces moderation and listening to her body's needs.

Comments

  1. Avatar

    I love using lavender in cooking, it always adds such a unique and delicious flavour. Definitely need to try this honey, lavender panna cotta recipe – not only does it look beautiful, but I bet it tasted even better!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    This panna cotta looks beautiful! And I love the flavor, I just recently made a honey lavender ice cream 😉

    Reply
    • Thanks and great idea about the honey lavender ice cream – that’s been on my to-do list ever since I saw it on ‘It’s Complicated’!

      Reply
  3. 3 stars
    I loved the flavor of this dessert, but something failed and it didn’t fully set. It was a delicious honey/lavender thick soup. I will have to try again and see if it works better next time!!

    Reply

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