I was fortunate enough to have spent this labor day weekend in a beach house at the coast with some friends. We had a good time relaxing by the water, making s’mores, and doing a little shopping. While we were out we stumbled across this big antiques mall, and happily spent a couple of hours wandering about the stalls, looking at all of the little gorgeous things. While there, I found a few old fashioned, individual, tin jello molds and thought that they would make perfectly charming little molds for some panna cotta, or some other such thing, and so I couldn’t resist purchasing them. And upon returning home, I wasted no time in putting them to good use. I whipped up an easy panna cotta, and poured it into the new molds, and various other containers I had laying about (a tea cup, ramekin, a couple of brioche molds, and a stemless wine glass), to see which would make the prettiest presentation. At the end of the day they all turned out so well that it was silly even trying to choose a favorite. In fact, how fun would it be to make this dessert for your guests and serve each person their own unique little creation? I like quirky little things like that sometimes. I used David Lebovitz’s recipe for perfect panna cotta, adding an extra third of a cup of sugar, and using both a vanilla bean and two teaspoons or so of vanilla extract. It is incredibly easy to make, takes no time whatsoever, can be made days in advance, and can be served on its own or with a variety of different accompaniments. I, for example, had some fresh raspberries laying around and so I macerated them with a little bit of sugar, and a little splash of Grand Marnier, which made a delicious compliment to the silky, very vanilla panna cotta. I also had a hand full of fresh black mission figs left over from the weekend, and so, taking a cue from chef Ann Burell, I sliced them in half and tossed them with a splash of balsamic vinegar and about a tablespoon of sugar and then roasted them in a 350º oven until they were syrupy and caramelized. The sweet, tart, caramelized figs were also quite good with the creamy vanilla “custard”. Whichever way you decide to serve it, panna cotta is always a deliciously decadent little treat. It feels so luxurious and seems so complicated, but really nothing could be simpler to prepare. Which makes it exactly my kind of cooking. Enjoy!
Jacob's Kitchen 
I’ve never made Pannacotta before, but always wanted to. I always thought it would be too difficult, and that I would have trouble making it set. Maybe I should try out David’s recipe too!
Thanks.
Hi Lauren!
You should! It practically makes itself! And it is just so creamy and delicious.
Thanks for stopping by! =)
I love the cute mold shape…I have a few molds that were my grandmother’s. They just make the food look that much tastier! Great photos!
Great post – I love Panna Cotta but usually have it with berries – hadn’t even thought of figs! Beautiful pics – the individual serving size mold is adorable – I often serve desserts in unmatching vintage tea and cappucino cups too!
beautiful presentation! the grand marnier always makes everything taste better!
Beautiful pictures! I have never had panna cotta but my mouth is watering just looking at it. I will have to bookmark this and give it a try :o)
Beautiful pics and yummy figs!
Oooh, the mold you used for your top photo looks really cool. Gotta love panna cotta, so simple and delicious 🙂
Must try your recipe! Lovely pictures! thanks for sharing:D
Those raspberries looks nice but those figs… they look incredible!
Lovely panna cotta. Great use of the figs and rasberries.
Thanks everyone! =)
Those figs are so sweet and luscious, right? And fresh figs are such a luxury. I love how the little molds turned out (there were actually other shaped molds as well, but I figured that the four pics was enough to get the point across). I love finding (read: hoarding!) cute little kitchen implements and serving ware like that. So cute!
Thanks for stopping by!!! =)
I love how you candied the figs. I only had the opportunity to make pannacotta once. I can’t wait to try this version.
Wow, that looks lovely, and I love the tweaking on the standard pannacotta recipe. I have never been a huge fan of pannacotta so maybe I will like the new version!
That looks delicious I love the way you’ve used figs…:)
Oh wow – these caramelized figs really take an already fabulous dessert to the stratosphere.