Chocolate Panna Cotta With Ammaretto Whipped Cream

Submitted by Starshine Michelle

"This is the chocolate lover's answer to panna cotta. It's quite similar to mousse but the gelatin makes it a bit firmer. NOTE: To toast almonds, spread them on a baking sheet and bake in a 350*F oven for 6-8 minutes, stirring once or twice. Watch carefully to keep them from burning."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 50mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 1 Panna Cotta
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk, cold
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (1/4 ounce) packet unflavored gelatin
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 (12 ounce) bag bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1⁄4 cup almonds, toasted and sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon amaretto liqueur

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350*F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the 1 1/2 cups of milk, granulated sugar, and the vanilla. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat.
3. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the remaining 1/2 cup of cold milk and let it dissolve for 2 minutes.
4. Combine the cold milk and gelatin with the hot milk and sugar.
5. Stir to dissolve the gelatin, about 5 minutes. (Heat the milk gently if the gelatin is not dissolving easily.).
6. When the gelatin is dissolved, combine the eggs with the warm milk mixture, whisking constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs.
7. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or small pitcher.
8. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over simmering water in a double boiler.
9. When the chocolate is melted, gradually combine the milk and egg mixture with the melted chocolate, stirring between each addition to create a smooth chocolate mixture.
10. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
11. Sprinkle the top with almonds.
12. Place the casserole dish in a larger baking pan or roasting pan and add hot water to the larger pan until the water comes halfway up the sides of the casserole dish.
13. Place both pans in the oven and bake until the sides are firm and the center just jiggles slightly, about 1 hour.
14. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes.
15. Just before serving, whip the cream to soft peaks in a medium bowl using a whisk or electric hand mixer.
16. Add the confectioners' sugar and almond liqueur and whip to combine.
17. Spoon the panna cotta into individual serving bowls and dollop the top with the almond whipped cream.