, Step by step

Panna cotta with minestrone of berries and peach

Light vanilla panna cotta paired with a bright minestrone of berries and peach for a fresh, elegant seasonal dessert.

Mark Stower, Director of Food and Service.

Preparation Time: 25 mins

Cooking Time: 15 mins plus setting time

Serves: 6

Ingredients

Step 1

Split the vanilla pod in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds.
Step 2

Put the vanilla seeds, orange zest and juice, sugar, double cream and milk into a large pan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes, until the vanilla and orange have infused the milk and cream. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3

Place the gelatine sheets in a bowl of cold water and leave for 5 minutes to soften. Then add to the cream mixture to dissolve. This is now your panna cotta mixture.
Step 4

Pour equal amounts of the panna cotta mixture into six dessert glasses and leave to set in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
Step 5

To make the syrup, put the honey and wine in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Then cool.
Step 6

Take the six panna cottas out of the refrigerator and arrange equal amounts of the raspberries, blueberries and cherries on top of each. Now spoon over the syrup.
Step 7

Place a thin slice of peach on each and top with a fresh sprig of mint, then serve.

This is a deliciously indulgent dessert for when you want to impress but it doesn’t mean you can’t still eat a variety of fruit to boost your vitamin and mineral intake.
With 4 different fruits as a topping, why not prepare some extra to enjoy on the side to help towards your 5 a day?
Using different coloured fruits means you eat a wide range of different nutrients – dark coloured berries are a source of many plant-nutrients that have been linked to numerous health benefits.

Claire Baseley

Consultant Nutritionist