Summer is finally here in our house. We kicked off the first long weekend of summer this past Memorial Day with lots of relaxing, lounging around the pool and grilling good food. While I do love to travel, our favorite thing to do on busy holiday weekends is to just enjoy the comforts of home.
We grilled everyday this past weekend. We made wings, pulled pork and ribs and enjoyed eating on our pool deck. And after all that good food, we needed a special cool sweet treat to enjoy. One of my favorite summer treats is cool panda cotta. It’s a wonderful cool treat that looks super impressive but is stupid easy to make.
For this version of panna cotta, I made it swimsuit friendly by making it with whole milk and yogurt instead of heavy cream. The yogurt gives it a wonderful creamy texture that you’ll love. The addition of vanilla and honey pair so well with the tanginess of the yogurt. And to top it off, fresh peaches make the perfect finishing touch. Add a little fresh mint too from the garden and you have the perfect summer treat.
These panna cottas, when served in pretty glasses are definitely elegant enough for a dinner party, but they’re also perfect for a summer backyard BBQ. They don’t melt super fast like ice cream, the mess is contained in the serving dish and they’re definitely kid friendly! If you’re making these for a crowd, you can easily serve them in small clear plastic cups topped with different fresh fruits like peaches, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
For the milk used in this recipe, I used a2 Milk®. It’s a new milk I recently discovered that’s easy to digest. I’ve suffered all my life with a dairy sensitivity, meaning I can only enjoy dairy in limited quantities, and I haven’t been able to enjoy a glass of milk since I was a very little kid. So I was so excited to learn about a2 Milk®. It’s a line of 100% real, naturally easy to digest milk including Whole, 2%, 1% and Chocolate 2% Reduced Fat Milk that even those with milk sensitivities can enjoy.
And now thanks to The a2 Milk Company™, people with milk sensitivities, including perceived lactose intolerance, can now enjoy the taste and nutritional benefits of real dairy milk. Ordinary cows’ milk contains two types of beta-casein protein, A1 and A2. The A1 protein has been linked to indigestion and discomfort but a2 Milk comes from cows that produce only the A2 protein. Additionally, a2 Milk® is completely free of any added hormones, rBST and antibiotics so you can feel good about giving it to your family. a2 Milk® is also the leading milk brand in Australia.
You can find a2 Milk in your local Publix grocery store. Find out more about the brand on their website a2Milk.com.
You can also connect with @a2MilkUSA on Twitter, @a2MilkUSA on Facebook and @a2milkusa on Instagram.
Yield: 4 servings
In a medium saucepan, mix yogurt, milk and sugar together. Heat over medium heat whisking until well combined. Allow to cook until bubbles start to form around the edges just prior to boiling.
While milk and yogurt are cooking, add cold water to a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin packet on top. Set aside.
When yogurt and milk are done, remove from heat add vanilla extract and firm gelatin mixture. Whisk until well combined.
Equally divide mixture between 4 serving glasses or jars. Transfer to refrigerator to set up for a minimum of 2 hours.
Before serving, place fresh peach slices on top of pan cotta and drizzle with honey
Garnish panna cotta with optional mint leaves if desired.
This post sponsored by a2 Milk. All thoughts and opinions 100% mine.