Panna cotta looks far more complicated than it is. It has that polished restaurant feel, yet the base is made from just a handful of ingredients. The name comes from Italy and translates to cooked cream. At its heart, it is a simple chilled cream dessert, set until just firm enough to hold its shape while keeping that gentle wobble. A proper panna cotta is smooth, light on the spoon, and delicate enough to tremble when you move the glass.

Ingredients

• 500 ml cream
• 60 g sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp powdered gelatine
• 2 tbsp water
• 250 g strawberries, blended
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

1. Sprinkle gelatine over water and let bloom.
2. Heat cream and sugar until just below boiling.
3. Stir in vanilla and bloomed gelatine.
4. Pour into glasses and chill for 3 hours.
5. Mix strawberry puree with lemon juice.
6. Spoon over set panna cotta before serving.