Lactose-free panna cotta

Name: Lactose-free panna cotta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Lactose free fresh cream 2 ½ cups; Gelatin in sheets 0.3 oz; Sugar 2.5 oz; Vanilla bean 1; Blueberries 0.7 cup; Sugar 1 ½ tbsp; Water 4 tsp; Basil to taste

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low
Note At least 6 hours in the refrigerator.

Listen to the recipe

PRESENTATION

Lactose-free panna cotta has everything the original does—cool, creamy, and firm enough to unmold into clean individual portions—made here with lactose-free cream and scented with vanilla. The substitution is straightforward but deliberate: lactose-free cream behaves the same way standard cream does in this preparation, so the texture holds true, the flavor stays rich, and the result is a dessert that works equally well for guests with lactose intolerance and those without.

It needs at least six hours in the refrigerator to set properly, so overnight is the smarter plan if you want to serve it without any last-minute uncertainty. A homemade blueberry sauce goes on at serving, along with a few fresh basil leaves. The basil earns its place: its cool, aromatic edge cuts the richness of the cream and keeps the fruit from reading as straight-sweet. Together the blueberry sauce and the basil turn a composed chilled dessert into something that feels considered rather than assembled. It's elegant enough to close out a dinner party without asking anyone to settle for less.

INGREDIENTS

for the lactose-free panna cotta: Lactose free fresh cream 2 ½ cups (600 g); Gelatin in sheets 0.3 oz (9 g); Sugar 2.5 oz (70 g); Vanilla bean 1

for the blueberry sauce: Blueberries 0.7 cup (100 g); Sugar 1 ½ tbsp (20 g); Water 4 tsp (20 g)

for garnish: Basil to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Lactose-free panna cotta

To prepare the lactose-free panna cotta, start by soaking the gelatin sheets in cold water 1 and let them soften. Meanwhile, pour the lactose-free cream into a small saucepan and add the sugar 2. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape out the seeds and add them to the cream 3.

Add the vanilla pod as well 4. Stir and bring just to a simmer, then turn off the heat and remove the vanilla pod 5. Drain the gelatin, squeezing it lightly 6.

Add it to the cream while still hot but not boiling 7 and stir thoroughly until it has completely dissolved 8. Divide the mixture between 4 square molds, each 7 cm per side (about 2 3/4 in) and holding approximately 160 ml each (about 2/3 cup / 5.4 fl oz) 9. Let cool slightly, then transfer the molds to the refrigerator and let the panna cotta set for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

After this time, prepare the blueberry sauce. Put the blueberries, 20 g of sugar (about 1 2/3 tablespoons / 0.7 oz) 10 and 20 g of water (about 1 1/3 tablespoons / 0.7 fl oz) 11 into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then continue to cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes. The blueberries should become very soft and the liquid should reduce until it has a syrup-like consistency 12.

Turn off the heat, transfer to a small bowl 13 and let the blueberry sauce cool completely before using. When the panna cotta is well set, take it out of the refrigerator 14 and unmold it gently onto serving plates 15.

Top with the cold blueberry sauce 16 and a few basil leaves 17, then serve 18.

Storage

Store the lactose-free panna cotta in the refrigerator, well covered, and consume within 2 days. You can prepare it the day before and let it set in the molds overnight. Freezing is not recommended.

The blueberry sauce can be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to finish the dessert.

Tip

To unmold the lactose-free panna cotta easily, dip only the outside of the mold in hot water for a few seconds, taking care not to wet the dessert. Gently run the tip of a knife around the edge, place the plate over the mold and invert with a quick movement. This will help the panna cotta release more easily while keeping its shape.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Print the recipe