When it comes to desserts that effortlessly captivate our taste buds, panna cotta holds a special place in our hearts. Its silky-smooth texture and delicate sweetness create a delightful show-stopper that leaves us craving for more. But what if we take this heavenly Italian classic and elevate it to new heights? Introducing my twist: Panna Cotta with Almond Toffee Crunch.
It’s time to bring a touch of culinary magic to your table and treat yourself to a dessert that will leave a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to join you in eating this amazing dessert.
So, let’s gather our ingredients, don our aprons, and prepare to embark on a journey that promises to take our taste buds to new heights. Prepare to savor the velvety sophistication of panna cotta, perfectly paired with the enticing crunch of almond toffee.
This recipe has quite a few steps to it, but I promise that every one of them is worth it. I used silicone dariole moulds to make the panna cotta. The panna cotta falls into the plate and expands at the bottom when removed.
- 4 pears
- 1 bottle Moscato wine
- 1 cinnamon quill
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 330 ml Full cream milk
- 470 ml Cream
- 120 grams icing sugar
- 3 sheets titanium gelatine
- 2 vanilla beans
- Peel the pears, slice in half and scoop out the seed bits and bottom end with a melon baller or spoon. Keep the stems, they're pretty.
- Place them in a saucepan and pour over the wine and toss in the cinnamon quill. Cover with a piece of baking paper to keep the pears wet and cover.
- Simmer on medium heat for about 20 minutes or until you can pierce the pear with a knife and it feels soft.
- Remove pears to a plate and increase the heat and reduce the wine until it's syrupy. However thick you like.
- Pour syrup over the pears.
- Place almonds on a baking tray and place in the oven at 180C for about 8 minutes or until the almonds take on just a little bit of color. Set aside.
- To a saucepan on medium heat, add the sugar and the water. Cook until the mixture reaches the hard crack stage 150C. Remove from heat and put the bottom of the pan in water to stop the cooking - you don't want burnt toffee.
- Toss in the almonds and pour out on a Silpat or baking paper and smooth out.
- Once cool, place in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin. Place in an air tight container and set aside. (This will keep for weeks, well covered)
- Brush a non-flavoured oil on 8 dariole moulds - it will help to remove the panna cotta.
- Put the 3 sheets of gelatine in a bowl of ice water to soften.
- Place milk in a saucepan and slice the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with your knife and add to the milk. Toss the beans in as well. Bring the milk to nearly boiling but do not boil. You'll see little bubbles on the side of the pan, that's hot enough.
- Remove from the heat and let the beans steep for 30 minutes.
- Remove the beans and add the gelatine and mix well. Add the sugar and mix well.
- Add the cream and place the bowl over a bowl of ice water and stir until the mixture just begins to thicken. This will hold the vanilla seeds in suspension. If you don't mind the seeds falling to the bottom, this step is not necessary.
- Pour into dariole moulds and refrigerate until set. Mixture will still be wobbly.
- Dip moulds into hot water for a few seconds and invert on a plate.
- Assembly
- Plate the panna cotta and sprinkle the crushed toffee on the top.
- Slice the pear into strips and place alongside the panna cotta.
- Drizzle some syrup over the pear and around the panna cotta.
YES, I missed this movie!!! Great to know it will be out on DVD soon. And I’m loving your poached pears with panna cotta…besides looking ultra delicious, it’s gorgeous!!!
Love this movie! And love your panacotta look absolutely georgeous and love with these poached pears;)
Can you believe Maureen, we almost missed this movie, thanks to you we will have a fun time this weekend. As always your recipes are dangerously delicious..mmm a bottle of Moscato wine 🙂
J+C
I haven’t seen the movie, but your dessert looks absolutely DIVINE!!!
Thank you SO much!!
What an impressive dessert, I love the almond toffee crunch!
You are not the only one who missed this movie. I was hoping to catch it on “on Demand” and have not seen it on their play list. This is a movie I want to see as well as the 100 mile journey.
Love food movies.
Velva
I don’t think I’ve seen the movie but it looks pretty interesting. Robert Downey!!! A great film to watch perhaps after dinner, while enjoying this great panna cotta dessert!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Dear Maureen,
I received an invite to watch the preview but totally forgot about it. Your panna cotta looks incredible with the toffee crunch.
Haha this movie sounds fab and it is right up our aisle isn’t it? I love the whole cast and will be not so patiently waiting for Sept 4th to get here!! On the other hand, this recipe is gorgeous and sounds amazing. I will share it on FB 🙂
It’s not often a panna cotta appeals to me, Maureen. This one has a tinge of yellow to it so it must super rich cream, plus the crunchy topping are hitting the yes buttons for me.
The cream is from jersey cows so yes, it’s yellow 🙂 It is outstanding cream and only one dairy around here offers it. It’s not cheap but it’s SO worth it.
Your dessert looks so DE-licious! =)
I havent seen the Movie, but it sounds really interesting!
I have to think of Paninis now. haha!
I saw the movie the other day and of course I was hungry after watching it. Inspiring and fun. =)
ohhh panna cotta with almond toffee crunch and poached pears!! May I come for a bite? =D
Nice review – Maureen. I did go and see this movie and really enjoyed – came home smiling and wanting to cook – have been dreaming about those Cuban sandwiches ever since:) Oh and this dessert – I just looooooooove panna cotta and this looks soooooo good.
I’m going to check out the movie when it comes out on dvd since I’m a fan of ‘cooking’ movies. 🙂 As to your panna cotta, I love everything about it.
Oh I missed that movie too, love the trailer, just saw it for the first time. This panna cotta looks very elegant, love all the components.
Great to know about the movie. I hadn’t heard of it but it’s going to be at the top of my Netflix list. The panna cotta sounds wonderful!
I missed this movie too! Will look out for the DVD, thanks for the headsup, love. Beeyootiful pannacotta!!
Oh gosh, yes, we did miss this film…. was so looking forward to it! Love your recipe, Maureen… just beautiful… what a way to celebrate pears… will be on the look out for the DVD. Thanks for the reminder xo
I was invited to a preview of the movie and couldn’t get there. Really wish I had been able to see it as it sounds like great fun. I will now watch it on DVD. I love the cast! Robert Downey Jr and Dustin Hoffman are two of my faves. I love the look of your dessert, Maureen and what a stunning plate xx
We haven’t seen the movie yet, but want to. Probably on Netflix — we almost never go out to an actual theater (too lazy, plus who doesn’t want to be close to their kitchen while watching a movie?) Sounds like a great film, and the panna cotta looks terrific. Thanks.
Maureen, I too missed the theatre release of Chef. I’m waiting for On Demand. And when Mrs. W and I settle down for movie night, I’m thinking this lovely panna cotta will make a splendid dessert. Lovely work!
I haven’t heard about this movie but after reading this post, I am looking forward to watching it. I only wish I could have your scrumptious panna cotta as well. 🙁 What a great way to both indulge and entertain yourself…
G’day! First of all, your panna cotta looks delicious Maureen and want to come through the screen to try it now!
I too missed this film and looks like will wait until it is on Foxtel!
Great photo that caught my eye right away!! It’s breakfast….YUM is what I can say!
Cheers! Joanne
fun dessert and loved that movie
I saw the movie on the plane and it was great – and yes vey close to all our hearts when it comes to blogging and social media so you will love it. Your poached pears in 1 bottle of Moscato sounds divine – that will put you in a great mood to watch the movie 🙂
hi maureen
we really enjoyed this movie! we saw it on the last day it was showing at the UQ cinema-the very last showing so it was lucky we made it at all. and we felt so old with all these gorgeous young things around:) enjoy it!
This is definitely on my list to watch, love seeing RDJ in a very different role 😀
Maybe with your pannacotta on a late friday night? Sounds just about perfect! 😀 – Oh and JUST tried Moscato last night – WOW!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Love the look of this panna cotta as I really like moscato and pears together! 😀
Haven’t seen the movie, which has not been in our movie theaters here (drawback of living in a small town), but will definitely watch it at some point – probably through Netflix when available
your dessert made my heart miss a beat – love everything about it, it is a winner all the way!
Oh, the movie is out, can’t wait to see it again!! Loved it. Your dessert has me drooling. I grew up with pears as our new home was built on an old pear orchard. This brings back great memories!!
Have not heard of this movie till now. Will look for it. Your Panna Cotta looks divine!
The dessert looks heavenly. I bet it tastes wonderful too. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I am excited to make one and eat it while watching Chef. I agree, the cast is amazing. Jon Favreau is a cool guy.
I’ll bring the Cubanos to the party? 🙂
Yes, please!!
Oh you know I’m going to be making this recipe. The pears in our orchard should be ready to pick towards the end of September or the first part of October.
Yes I had wanted to see this but with moving to the other side of the world I missed it! Will definitely get it on DVD. And you’ve inspired me for dessert ideas this week Maureen, the Panna Cotta looks to die for.
Krissie x – http://pearlsofstyle.blogspot.com
I saw this movie with my daughter and loved it – such a feel-good film!
Maureen, this panna cotta is absolutely stunning and looks perfect. I can’t wait to have a try at this myself, panna cotta has been on my list to make for ages.
Love panna cotta! This looks amazing!
Alas, I missed it too! But I will most definitely look for it on DVD. 🙂 Your dessert sounds amazing. 🙂
Gorgeous dessert there! Lovely presentation too. Pannacottas are loved by my family and the pairing with pears sounds good. I have never tried poaching pears. I will try it once they hit the markets here.
How did I miss this movie?!! I’ll be looking for it! Your Panna cotta is devine! Perfectly paired with the pears.
I’ve read some great review about this movie so thanks for yet another one. I’m now thinking about bypassing the wait for Comcast or Netflix and just buy the DVD. Now that’s one gorgeous panna cotta!! I’d be licking the plate after eating this.
I too missed the movie, looking out for the DVD. I am drooling over your panna cotta.
I missed this movie to Maureen but it sounds like a good movie 🙂 Your dessert looks wonderful! 🙂
What a gorgeous dessert! Come make this for me and we’ll watch Chef together 🙂
Thats a seriously nice dessert!
Maureen this dish is just heavenly, I love your presentation! I’ll have to watch this movie, it sounds like a lot of fun.
Maureen, I saw your dessert on instagram and wow this looks delicious!
Perfect for the fall weather that will be coming our way soon and for your saying goodbye to winter and hello spring in Australia. I rented this as a home movie on our NOW TV in HK and this movie is awesome. Loved it.
Maureen – I so wanna watch Chef now With this panna cotta to gorge on – yipeee its available for rental today!!! If only I could snap my fingers and presto – this appeared in front of me – just like that! I’ve never tried to make panna cotta – do you think Almond or coconut milk could be substituted for real milk/cream?
This is absolutely gorgeous!!! Why when I make panna cotta – which I love making and we love eating it – do I never dress it up like this. Beautiful autumn treat… pinned to my new panna cotta board!
Loved Chef! And what a great dessert to prove your first class gourmet skills with your movie friends =)