Il Cucinologo
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Chocolate Panna Cotta with Caramelized Bananas

17/11/2023

Chocolate panna cotta with caramelized bananas is a sophisticated dessert that blends the creaminess of panna cotta with the intense sweetness of chocolate and the caramelized note of bananas. It is a delicious variation of the classic Italian dessert. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 500 ml fresh cream
  • 100 g sugar
  • 100 g dark chocolate
  • 3 gelatin sheets (or 5 g powdered gelatin)
  • 1 vanilla bean (or one teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 30 g butter
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • Juice of half a lemon

Preparation

  1. Start by soaking the gelatin sheets in cold water for about 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, pour the cream into a saucepan, add the sugar and the seeds extracted from the vanilla bean or the vanilla extract.
  3. Heat the cream over medium-low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved, avoiding bringing it to a boil.
  4. Break the dark chocolate into pieces and place it in a large bowl.
  5. When the cream is hot (but not boiling), squeeze the soaked gelatin well and stir it into the cream until fully dissolved.
  6. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and stir until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
  7. Divide the mixture into panna cotta molds or glasses and let it cool before transferring to the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours, until fully set.
  8. For the caramelized bananas, slice them into rounds and set aside. In a skillet, melt the butter and brown sugar until you obtain an amber mixture.
  9. Add the banana slices to the skillet along with the lemon juice and let them caramelize for a few minutes, gently turning them to brown on both sides.
  10. When the chocolate panna cotta is ready to serve, gently unmold it onto a plate and garnish with the caramelized bananas.

Serve it fresh but not too cold, to best appreciate the creaminess of the panna cotta and the softness of the caramelized bananas.

Trivia

Panna cotta, which literally means “cooked cream” in Italian, originates from Piedmont. It is a very versatile dessert that can be made in countless variations, from the classic vanilla to more original and bold pairings, as in this recipe with chocolate and caramelized bananas.