Vanilla Pannacotta and Shortbread with Fresh Strawberries.
This is my first time making both shortbread and pannacotta - both desserts quick and simple to make. I was really pleased with my shortbread, even hubby commented "I don't normally like shortbread, but these are lovely" and my boys enjoyed them too. I will definitely be making shortbread again in the near future, but maybe next time I will add a hint of vanilla. The pannacotta was not bad for my first attempt, it tasted nice and creamy, I maybe put a bit too much vanilla in, but I do plan to make it again, but with less vanilla - I might even try a different flavor next time, maybe chocolate.
For these two lovely desserts instead of using sugar, I used Canderel granules as you get the same sweetness that sugar gives, but with fewer calories.
IngredientsShortbread:100g Canderel granules, plus extra for sprinkling.300g plain flour, sifted.
200g unsalted butter, at room temperature.Pinch of salt.
Pannacotta:600ml double cream150ml milk3 vanilla pods.2 gelatin sheets.60 Grams Canderel granules.3 strawberriesMethodShortbread:Preheat the oven to 160C.
First I mixed together the butter and Canderel until pale and smooth. I then added the flour and pinch of salt and gently mixed, pushing the mixture together into a ball of dough.
I placed the dough onto baking parchment and gently rolled it out to about 2cm or use your preferred thickness, and I then scored the dough into squares using a knife. With the baking parchment, place onto a baking tray and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Before placing in the preheated over, sprinkle with a pinch of Canderel and then bake for 15-20 minutes, until pale golden-brown.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Once cooled, gently snap your slab of shortbread along the lines you scored.
To get the pannacotta out of the glass ramekin, I popped it into hot water to loosen and then turned it onto the plate. (I left mine slightly too long in the hot water, and it started to melt - so be careful, as it doesn't need very long before it loosens, enabling the mold to be come out). I then added to the plate the strawberries, shortbread, and I poured some strawberry coulis.