Green Tea Panna Cotta

When pressed for time, panna cotta pops into my mind. It is perfect for parties as you can serve this in plastic disposable shot glasses. My office mate recently gave me a green tea powder because she asked me to bake a cake for her husband last week. You can get the powder from any Asian store. By the way, get Macha green tea powder. There is another popular green tea, Sencha, which is frequently used for drinking. Macha is more commonly used for making desserts or ice creams.

Recipe for Green Tea Panna Cotta
(This is a basic panna cotta recipe minus the green tea powder. It can be replaced with any flavorings like vanilla, coffee, etc.)

150 ml heavy or thickened cream
150 ml fresh milk
1/2 c white sugar
1-1 1/2 t Macha green tea powder
1 to 1 1/2 t unflavored gelatin**
1to 1 1/2 T  c cold water

Procedure:

• On low heat, combine milk, cream, green tea powder and sugar until sugar is dissolved.
• In a small container, pour cold water and add gelatin. When gelatin has absorbed the water, add it to hot ingredients.
• Stir. Pour mixture in ramekin cups or moulds. 
• Chill until set.
• Finish with fresh fruit on top.

   ** If you want your panna cotta firmer then, 1 1/2 t of gelatin is suggested

Using gelatin in recipes:

1. Normally, unflavored gelatin is used. It is softened in cold or tap water and never hot water.
2. It will swell or absorb the water. This process is also known as blooming.
3. IT is then added to hot ingredients; heated using a double boiler or microwave (few seconds) or heated with other ingredients until it is fully dissolved.
4. Mixture is chilled until it sets.