Chamomile Panna Cotta with Lemon Poppy Olive Oil Shortbread + Big News…A Saveur Nomination!

This creamy panna cotta, perfumed with chamomile, is the perfect consistency and the ideal dessert to welcome spring. It’s easy enough to make on a week night, can be made ahead, and, served with shortbread crumbs (recipe below) and a few fresh herbs, it’s a special, dinner guest worthy dessert.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 packet unflavored gelatin (2 teaspoons)
  • 1 vanilla bean, seeds and pod ( can sub 1 tsp vanilla extract)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup dried chamomile flowers

Instructions

  1. Pour one cup of the cream into a medium sauce pan; sprinkle the gelatin over the surface and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Heat on low, stirring, until the gelatin has fully dissolved.
  2. Add in the rest of the cream, vanilla beans scraped from the pod, the pods themselves, chamomile flowers, and the sugar. Cook on medium heat until it’s just about to boil, until one or two bubbles arise around the edges of the pot.
  3. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to steep for 30 minutes.
  4. Strain mixtures through a cheese cloth lines sieve into a bowl. Squeeze the remnants in the cheese cloth to get all of that good chamomile flavor!
  5. Ladle the mixture into custard cups or whatever dish you choose. Chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Once set, they can be covered and stored up to 24 hours.
  6. To unmold (if desired), run enough hot water in a shallow bowl or pan to come 3/4 the way up the sides of your panna cotta cups. Set the panna cotta in the hot water for about 30 seconds and proceed to gently invert onto a plate. Refresh the hot water as needed to continue unmolding the panna cotta.
  7. Garnish with crumbled shortbread & a little fresh mint. Candied lemon peel would be excellent too! (recipe below).

Notes

Adapted from The New York Times

3.1

https://localmilkblog.com/2014/04/chamomile-panna-cotta-with-lemon-poppy-olive-oil-shortbread-big-news-a-saveur-best-food-blog-nomination.html

Yield: about 24 bars

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (I added an extra pinch because I like salty sweet)
  • 3 tablespoons of poppy seeds
  • the zest of two lemons
  • 1 cup olive oil (of a good, flavorful quality)

Instructions

  1. Heat your oven to 325°F.
  2. In a mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, salt, poppy seeds, and lemon zest.
  3. Pour in the olive oil and mix until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated.
  4. Pat the dough out into a 9×9″ baking pan, and bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges are golden and it’s just set. I baked it on convection, see below for notes on that adjusted cooking time.
  5. Allow to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes, and then cut into 1×2″ bars with a knife. This is a thick, crumbly shortbread.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Cookie + Kate

3.1

https://localmilkblog.com/2014/04/chamomile-panna-cotta-with-lemon-poppy-olive-oil-shortbread-big-news-a-saveur-best-food-blog-nomination.html

Scroll to Top