One of the best things about Italian cuisines that other cuisines can’t claim to do better is the fact that they encompass all parts of the meal. Whether they be appetizers, full course meals, or desserts, there’s much to explore in the world of Italian cooking! Italian desserts are defined by their simplicity and rich flavors. If you’ve seen our menu before, you’ll know that we offer the noteworthy panna cotta as a dessert menu item. But, what exactly is panna cotta? We tell you everything you need to know about it below!
Panna Cotta’s Makeup
Upon your first glance at a panna cotta dessert, you may mistake it for a more common treat in pudding. While panna cotta might be similar to pudding, they are not one in the same! To make panna cotta, a chef will take cream and harden it using gelatin. This along with molding the pudding to the desired shape gives the dessert its traditional appearance. From there, you can add flavorings to it! Some popular ways to liven up the taste include adding vanilla and coffee to the mix.
Flavors
How a panna cotta dish is served is partially based on what flavors the creators infuse into the dish. As we mentioned previously, vanilla and coffee are two popular flavors that give the dish new life. Another variation of the dish is made with caramel, and the bottom is lightly fried to add a tasty caramel underbelly. Other flavors you wouldn’t expect to be added, such as lavender, almond, and rosemary. Each dish is garnished with items that best compliment its flavor; for example, a lavender flavored panna cotta is often served with various berries. Caramel panna cotta is served with caramel treats.
Is Panna Cotta Pudding?
As good as panna cotta is, we’re willing to bet that you’ve drawn some similarities between it and a standard pudding dish. So, are they the same thing? The answer is actually no! There’s one main distinction that makes the two desserts so different, and it has to do with their makeup. Pudding and custard are thickened with egg yolks to give them their traditional appearance. Instead of egg yolks, panna cotta is hardened with gelatin, and egg yolks are not present within the recipe.
Panna Cotta at Assaggio
If you’re looking for a full-course Italian meal that delights at every portion, Assaggio is the perfect place to go! We specialize in Italian cuisines, and our menu is filled with some of the most noteworthy recipes to ever come out of the country. No matter what stage of the meal you’re at, your taste buds will be thanking you! To experience this for yourself, click here to make a reservation with us!
