Anniversary Dinner 2013 Dessert Course: Espresso Panna Cotta for an April Showers #SundaySupper

Espresso Panna Cotta

Let me start off by quoting one of my favorite TV shows: Lucy, you got some `splainin` to do!

By now, you've probably figured out that I'm a guy. As a guy, I don't attend many baby showers or bridal showers, which is the theme for this week's #SundaySupper, so I had to ask and again I turned to Renee of Magnolia Days. A point that is reinforced with a quick review of the other participating bloggers because I'm the only male. This is the third and final course Mrs. Stuntman and I used to celebrate our recent wedding anniversary, however Renee thought this dish would be perfect for a "shower" event particularly because of it's presentation. After all, Mrs. Stuntman is still a bride, correct?

The Source

This Giada De Laurentiis dessert can be found of Food Network's website.

Ingredients

1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 heaping teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
Raspberries and mint leaves (for garnish)

Method

1. Combine the milk and gelatin in a small saucepan and set aside for 5 minutes to soften the gelatin. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the gelatin dissolves and ensuring the milk doesn't boil, about 2 minutes. Add the cream, espresso powder, sugar, and salt to the milk and gelatin reducing the heat to low, stirring until the sugar dissolves, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Then pour the panna cotta into martini glasses, dividing equally. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours but not more than 2 days. Once ready to serve, garnish with mint leaves and raspberries.

Successful?

There are several issues to address. When I published the appetizer course this past Monday, I noted that the challenge was to put together a harmonious tasting menu. So how well did I connect the three dishes? Well, one thing that I relied upon in preparing this menu is a rule of thumb Tom Colicchio notes in his book, Think Like A Chef, was if it grows together, it goes together. Radicchio and Napa cabbage are available year round but fennel and watercress are spring vegetables. According to The Flavor Bible, lamb is also seasonal, which was the protein in my entreé course. And since mint complements lamb well, I used it as a garnish for this course primarily because I didn't think the garnishes Giada used were very colorful. She used a chocolate garnish, which complements espresso. A stretch? Possibly.

After running around like a headless chicken hosting several three-course dinner parties in the past, I can finally say I've learned to carefully plan my menu items, given the preparation methods and the resources available. I prepared this course in the morning of our dinner primarily because the preparation was quick and I could let the dish set in the refrigerator while I prepared the other courses. I used the same saucepan I used in this dish to prepare the warm honey dressing in the appetizer course and quickly washed it out to simmer the potatoes for my lamb side dish while we ate the radicchio slaw.

In addition, I really like this dish for a baby shower/bridal shower setting because it can be prepared the day before and needs very little attention, allowing the host to focus on other areas of preparation. I also like this dessert because it was light and well-balanced with the sweetness of the raspberries, mint and sugar contrasting the bitter espresso.

Other Sunday Supper Participants

And finally, please check out this week's other Sunday Supper participants:

Starters, Appetizers & Snacks

• Pesto Tortilla Pinwheels from Home Cooking Memories
• Honey Pecan Baked Brie from Supper for a Steal
• Pinenut stuffed Dates from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Glazed Pecans from Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail from A Stack of Dishes
• Mini Curry Chicken Salad Phyllo Cups from The Weekend Gourmet
• Mushroom and Feta Bites from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Antipasti Bites from Blueberries And Blessings
• Spinach Dip in a Pumpernickel Bowl from The Foodie Patootie
• Parmesan and Mushroom Focaccia from Basic N Delicious

Soups, Salads & Sandwiches

• London Ritz’s Tea Sandwiches from My Cute Bride
• Mini Shrimp & Egg Salad Sandwiches from The ROXX Box
• Broccoli Bacon Salad from Country Girl In The Village
• Chicken Salad on Endive from Magnolia Days
• Creamy Asparagus Soup Shooters with Shrimp from Gourmet Drizzles
• Alphabet Soup from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Main Dishes

• Savory Cheesy Kale Tart with Chiles from Shockingly Delicious
• Penne Ala Vodka from I Run For Wine
• Easy Baked Ziti from Momma’s Meals
• French Country Flat Pie from Webicurean
• Crustless Spinach Quiche from Family Foodie

Cakes

• Vanilla Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Strawberry Shortcake Push Pops from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Mini Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting from Damn Delicious
• Coconut Rum Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
• No Bake Lemon Cheesecakes Shots {Two Ways} from Cravings of a Lunatic
• Japanese Wedding Cupcakes from NinjaBaking.com
• Baby Blue Cake Pops from Neighborfood
• Strawberry Buttermilk Scones from Vintage Kitchen

Cookies, Brownies & Dessert Bars

• Lemon Sandwich Cookies with Pink Lemon Curd from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Chocolate Covered Mcaroons from Gotta Get Baked
• Pastel Pizzelles from Growing Up Gabel
• Chocolate-Balsamic Macaroons from Foxes Love Lemons
• Raspberry Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies from In The Kitchen With KP
• Baklava Crisps from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Healthy Chocolate Bars with Fruit, Nuts & Coconut from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Fudgy Carob Brownies from Pies and Plots
• Pistachio Biscotti from Curious Cuisiniere

Sweet Treats

• Shortbread Maple Cream Freezer Tart from A Beautiful Bite
• Espresso Panna Cotta from Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Bite-Size Pecan Tarts from Juanita’s Cocina
• Brigadeiros from Food Lust People Love
• Rosewater Raspberry Meringues from girlichef

Drink Recipes

• Slushy Mango Mojito from The Urban Mrs.
• Pretty in Pink Punch from Noshing With The Nolands
• Pink Lemonade from Peanut Butter and Peppers