I got caught last week.
I dashed out to bring my son to soccer and discovered that I didn’t have a snow brush or scraper in the car. It was the first snowfall of the season with a sizable accumulation. The kind of accumulation you can’t ignore. We were running late, there was no time to go back into the house and search the basement. Can you guess what I used to clean the snow off my van?
- a) my mitts
- b) a tree branch
- c) my son’s cleats
- d) our cat
- e) a) and c) but not d)
- f) none of the above
If you guessed f) none of the above, you are absolutely correct mon ami.
There we were, two hockey sticks in hand (that apparently never leave the car), swoopin’ and a clearin’ (amazingly effective by the way the bow and scoop combination are … I think I may be on to something…).
It was a classic Canadian moment!
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It’s December 1st and I’m officially kicking off the Holidays
with a Festive Dessert, a Foodie Favourites List and….
a Giveaway!
~ Foodie Favourites List 2012 ~
-
These Botanical Paints for your budding artist ~ sourced from fruit, vegetables and spices!
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These Fun & Festive Champagne Flutes ~ reasonably priced, fab hostess gift.
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These Gourmet Vinegar and Olive Oil Sprays ~ spritz just the right amount of flavour onto your salads and sides (lemon, chili, basil, garlic…oh, yum).
-
These Artisan Chocolate Truffles ~ the Margarita is a must!
-
This Lavender Tea from the beautiful fields of the Eastern Townships ~ unwind and relax…
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This Website ~ featuring amazing Canadian Foodmakers…
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This Urban Cultivator ~ grow your own pesticide/herbicide free herbs, sprouts and veggies all year round!
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These Slate and Oak Kitchen Boards ~ Gorgeous!
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These Classic Kitchen Aprons ~ or…
- These Vintage Kitchen Aprons!
A GIVEAWAY!!
Of those I’ve had an opportunity to review, the one that stands out in my mind as the freshest, most innovative and memorable is Sara and Hugh Forte’s cookbook: The Sprouted Kitchen: a tastier take on whole foods.
Giveaway Details
Now onto today’s festive recipe!
Vanilla Panna Cotta with a Pomegranate Jelly
(Pomegranate Jelly inspired by Pom Girl – check out her gorgeous swirl designs!)
For the Panna Cotta:
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 cup coconut milk (from a can!)
- 1 cup plain (unflavored) Greek yogurt (ideally not less than 2% fat)
- 4 Tbsp/1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 2 tsp gelatin powder
For the Pomegranate Jelly:
- 2 ounces boiling water
- 1 + 1/2 tsp gelatin powder
- 8 ounces (1 cup) pomegranate juice
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup, optional
- 1/2 pomegranate, seeded for garnish
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Notes:
If you can’t find a pure pomegranate juice (there are many mixed fruit juices on the market) and you want to intensify the colour of the juice to make it a bold red, simply squeeze some of the fresh pomegranate juice into the cup. Even 1 tablespoon of the real stuff will make a big colour difference.
You can make as many layers of panna cotta/jelly as you like keeping in mind that each layer has to gel/solidify in the fridge before pouring the next one, so there is a time factor involved.
The number of servings will depend on the size of the vessel that you are using.
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Directions:
This recipe will make approximately two cups of panna cotta and one cup of pomegranate jelly.
For the panna cotta (hands on time 10 minutes):
Place fresh lemon juice in a small dish and add gelatin, mixing together. The mixture will solidify somewhat within minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small pot, combine honey and coconut milk over low-medium heat on stove top until the mixture becomes hot to the touch but not boiling.
Pour mixture into a large bowl and add lemon gelatin slurry (you may need to dig it out with a spoon). Combine with a whisk.
Add Greek yogurt, grated lemon zest and vanilla to the bowl with the coconut milk mixture and stir well to combine.
For the pomegranate jelly (hands on time 5 minutes):
Place boiling water in a small bowl and add gelatin, stirring to dissolve.
In a separate bowl, pour pomegranate juice (see notes above about intensifying colour) with maple syrup if using, stirring to combine. Add the gelatin slurry to the pomegranate juice, mixing to combine.
For the assembly (hands on time 5 minutes):
You can create as many panna cotta/jelly layers as you like keeping in mind that each layer has to gel/solidify before pouring the next. The number of servings and the amount of time needed to gel/solidify the layers will depend on the size of the vessel you are using. Vessel ideas: ramekins, flutes, shot glasses, martini glasses, tumblers — just make sure you have a spoon that works for the size glass you’re using!
On average, you will need to refrigerate each layer for 1 to 2 hours before pouring the next layer (depending again on the size of the vessel). You can speed things up by carefully placing the panna cotta/jelly in the freezer for about 30 minutes each layer but you will want to be very careful not to freeze the panna cotta or the jelly solid as it will crystallize.
Dress up your desserts with pom seeds and a dollop of yogurt or crème fraîche, as desired.
I hope you enjoy this recipe – it has a mild sweetness with gorgeous complex flavours coming from the lemony coconut and pomegranate.
Bon Appetit!
What size serving vessel do you typically use and how many servings do you get using that size, with this recipe? I understand that the number of servings is based on size of your vessel and number of layers, but can you give me a basic idea?
Hi Laura, this recipe will make approximately two cups of panna cotta and one cup of pomegranate jelly. So for example if you wanted to serve 4 people, you could use any 8 ounce vessel that accommodates a spoon (this could be a dessert glass or a fluted/champagne glass or something like a rocks/low ball glass or mason jar) — in each of the 4 glasses you would use approx 1/4 cup (2 oz) panna cotta as your first layer; 1/4 cup (2 oz) pom next and 1/4 cup (2 oz) panna cotta on top for a total of about 6 oz per glass with room on top to decorate. I hope this helps!
Thank you! How far in advance can this be made?
Is this coconut milk from the can or the kind in the refrigerated section aka the Silk brand?
Good morning! You’ll want to use the canned coconut milk here; a richer tasting less dilute formula than the ones found in cartons (I will update recipe card with this as well, thank you!) Hope you enjoy and happy holidays, cheers.
Thumbs up if you read this awesome post in 2017 :))
Love this Panna Cotta!
Oh this is so festive!! And it’s so kind of you to do the giveaway! I’ve seen some other Christmasy recipes with pomegranates, it pleasantly surprises me how all the Christmas berries are so healthy! Thank you for your recipe.
Also, there is this game going on, I taged you in it, if you’ve got some free time, perhaps you’d like to join? :] http://missnak.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/salad-and-game.html
ooooh yes. I’d love that cookbook…even the cover is inspiring. I’m already subscribed to you, and enjoy your postings and trying out your recipes. Thanks! Leila
There’s so much to enjoy here.. gift ideas, a giveaway, an excellent festive dessert and a Canadian window scraper story.. that’s a classic for sure! I know someone who used a credit card, mine’s a bit worn out for that at this time of the year, lol!
I loved reading your Canadian moment! I’d be panic and won’t know what to do. Californians doesn’t even know how to drive well on rainy days. Snow? Not prepared! I was smiling creating the image in my mind while reading. :)
What a gorgeous holiday treat! I love the pomegranate on panna cotta. So pretty, so festive!
The cookbook is beautiful and thank you for your generous giveaway!
Oh this is fabulous – creamy sweet vanilla with a bit of tartness from the pomegranate and it’s all such a gorgeous color. Super festive Kelly I’m loving it. And I was totally cracking up at the mental image of you cleaning off the car with a cat! :P I’ve been known to resort to gloves and it never works well.
So glad you’re enjoying the hot toddy Eva and that it’s comforting you…you’ve got the exact idea… to warm the body, loosen things up and hasten their exit – and it tastes so darn good too! ;0). Yes, it’s hard to abandon the blogging service you start out with – even when it has limitations – as you’ve invested all kinds of time and effort setting things up and getting to know its functions… we’ll see what the future brings but overall it seems to be working quite well. Cheers Eva!
Thanks Kelly. I’ve been O.D.’ing on your hot toddy, sometimes just with the lemon, ginger, chili flakes and honey — it just feels good and the extra sweat it builds up is a great feeling too. Like the cold is exiting from my pores!
Linking to a new tab or window is important so that people can come back to your blog easily. I’ve come across some websites that don’t allow the back button and that is very frustrating! Glad you were able to figure it out. I’m glad I started out with WordPress, it seems to be a lot more user friendly.
Hope you are enjoying this warm front we’re experiencing. Cheers!
I totally thought you used the cat to clear off the windshield, hehe ;)
wow, kelly, these photos are GORGEOUS!!!!! Not to mention festive, and delicious-looking. Panna cotta is one of my absolute favorite desserts. I love things that are that jelly/custard consistency. This sounds like an amazing combo. And I’d love to win the cookbook!
Heehee, love it Spicie Foodie! happy to hear I have another hockey fan out there – in Europe yet! Cheers.
Hehe, I’m picturing you clearing the snow with the hockey sticks:) Since there is no hockey on tv I’d pay to watch you. Your panna cotta sounds so delicious.
i am very interested in this book :) magnificent giveaway!
Hey!! Already like you on Facebook!
All the best Angie!! xo
Thanks for stopping in Lynn with everything you have on the go – much appreciated!
Out of the mouths of babes…
You just can’t beat it! ;0)
Hugs to you and that precocious cutie pie of yours! xo.
Haha, cookbooks are hard to resist any time of year, aren’t they…cheers Sally!
It is rather Canadian in colour, isn’t it? You could absolutely use agar/agar and go to town with whatever design and delights you wish! The pom seeds can be a bit messy I’ll admit (or maybe that’s just me ;0) – last year, a girlfriend treated me to a bin of just the seeds – I don’t think I’ve ever been so delighted with a foodie gift in my life!! ;0)
Thank you Shannon for your kind words and for your support in sharing the love on pinterest and twitter – always appreciated!
I hear you on the patience factor… I’m always laughing at myself about how simple my recipes are because I like to be as efficient as possible (free up time for life!) and focus on ingredients rather than fuss. The “hands on” time for this recipe is very reasonable – only about 20 minutes. You can ‘gel’ the layers in the freezer (being careful that they don’t freeze) and… keep it to just two layers to simplify!
Paula, with this lovely note and sharing your Christmas tradition of focusing on your children, I’m inclined to send you a separate book to tuck under your tree regardless of the draw!! ;0) – I wish you the very best and thank you for dropping by with your kind words.
20 degrees, is that all?!! ;0) – my heart bleeds for you MJ… heehee! Although, quite truthfully, it would be very odd for me to experience Christmas without snow/cold so for those few days, I’m quite accepting of it! I think you will like this panna cotta MJ… the coconut lends a delicious flavour and the creaminess comes from yogurt! Let me know if you give it, or some variation of it, a try!
Wonderful! All the best in the draw and thank you so much for dropping by.
Thanks so much for your nice newsy note Eva! Isn’t the Sprouted Kitchen a feast for the eyes? They do such gorgeous work and I love how you set out the personal appeal factor for you… I also want to thank you for prompting me to research how to open links in a new window. Blogger has some frustrating limitations but happily there are plenty of forums and write-ups on how to get around things and reconfigure. I think I’ve got it now. Hopefully the viewers will find it more convenient.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you Eva! (and I hope you’re feeling better too! :0)
What a beautiful, festive dessert Kelly. And I love that it’s not too heavy; a perfect ending to a holiday meal. The colours are really beautiful.
That cookbook is an incredible giveaway, I was over at their blog and was blown away by the quality of the photography, really beautiful. Why I’m interested in winning this gorgeous book is that I’m always looking for new and healthy recipes and this book has them all. And the pretty pictures don’t hurt either.
BTW, your links open over your blog, may I suggest you have them open in a new window and that way your blog is always accessible without having to hit the back button?
I am soooo interested in using only whole foods in my b&b(fishermans daughter) need this book!!!!
I subscribe to you via email.
I follow you on Twitter.
I already have LIKED you and FB both with my page and personal page.
Other than all of the holiday spirit on the web, I’m not feeling it here. We are unseasonably warm here, 20 degrees above our normal Nov/Dec temperatures. Believe me, I’m not a fan of cold, but clear blue skies and 60+ F degree weather day after day is getting boring. :) Hum – why do I want this cookbook? Who wouldn’t?! It looks like a great cookbook just from it’s cover and title! Thanks for the giveaway and for this panna cotta recipe! I usually avoid panna cotta because I don’t handle the cream very well, but the coconut milk looks like a perfect substitute! Thanks!
These are beautiful Kelly, perfect for the holidays! I need to get some pomegranates – they are so festive looking!
Beautiful, just beautiful. I’m inspired!
I just discovered your blog! Your recipes are so creative and beautiful .. I would love to win Sara’s cookbook so that I will be inspired to recreate her wonderful dishes. If I were to win her book, I would wrap it and leave it under our holiday tree, only to open Christmas morning. Since my husband and I don’t exchange presents (we just go crazy on the kids now) I would love to have this one gift to open!
A gorgeous dessert, too beautiful to eat! Great book, I love their blog! What a great way to start the holiday season!
I would love to win, love the sprouted kitchen blog!! thanks!
would love the cookbook!
The recipe looks healthy and so pretty. I would like to enter the contest but understand if New Zealand is too far to send the book, should I be the lucky winner.
Kelly, these are gorgeous! I love pomegranates and have been eating my weight in them this year! How fun to have snow already to put you in the holiday spirit (maybe not for you but it sounds wonderful to a North Carolina girl!)
What a gorgeous dessert! LOVE it. Believe it or not, I never had the patience to do something like that. It’s the solidifying between layers that’s killing me… but I might just have to try this one. Maybe in a pistachio or green tea version to make it green, red and white.
Thanks so much for this brilliant inspiration.
Oh, and hockey sticks, seriously? I hope the neighbors weren’t looking! ;)
Now I have to go and check out your book review. Looks like something I might need to add to my collection! :)
Love the distinct red and white layers! A beautiful Christmas dessert. And I’d love to catch that cookbook if you deliver to Australia. :D
thank you for your generous giveaway! as an old subscriber via email (thanks to sallybr) i’d like to express my gratitude for all the great ideas you share with us! merry hellenic seasonal greetings! gina
gianakol@gmail.com
What a gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous pudding!
Strange to think you need to scrape snow off your car while we have a summery Christmas.
The book looks like a lovely prize.
:-) Mandy
It’s Christmas already! Hoo boy … have I been out of it. So nice to come back to such a beautiful sight!
And what perfect timing with the giveaway. I’ve recently been exposed a lot more to whole foods, organic foods and a whole bunch of healthier stuff …. would be great to have a guide in hardcover form :)
Thanks for the opportunity, Kelly, altho I think it might be a little costly to mail that heavy thing all the way here. (I’m being real positive and all!) :)
Love the use of pomegranates!
Already like FB page & Subscribe by email.
Just pinned & tweet the giveaway
this is an absolutely gorgeous holiday dessert and low fat too. love it. pinned to make for the holidays.
I’m a great fan of Sprouted Kitchen and would love a copy of the cookbook!
& now off to check your foodie favourite list
I would love to own the cookbook. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a gorgeous, festive, Canada-coloured dessert! I was sure it was with cranberries ;-) Pomegranate seeds remind me I still don’t use them often enough and also of my funny vocabulary mistake (do you remember when I called them grenades?). Now that I think it might also be a Japanese dessert ;-) The more I look at the recipe, the more I think I could do the same with agar agar (after having discovered, thanks to you, Greek yogurt, I even give is as a substitute for quark cheese in my recipes!).
Thank you so much for organising the giveaway. I shouldn’t be too greedy because I have already won two giveaways this year!
I am always interested in healthy recipes, and I have a particularly soft spot for cookbooks during the month of December. As well as January. And February doesn’t look that bad either. My Birthday is in March, so…. well, you see where this is going.
I am already a subscriber to this site, which is a waste of subscription because I come here even without email notification. So I guess that qualifies me for ONLY one comment. (sally pouts, but she is not really mad)
Great post, I will be back to click on the goodies, running out of time to play right now…
S T U N N I N G
presentation, Kelly.
OMGgg, dining at your house over the holidays must be FABulous. I want to come over and watch you at your ART. Xxx
I am cracking up right now Kelly. Miss A is sitting with me and she’s oohing and ahhing over your photos and says we HAVE to make this. Then we got to the cookbook and she said, “Oh that is disgusting. Why is there ice cream on top of a salad?” Then she said, “Go back to the pretty pictures!” (Meaning yours of course!) Miss A says we need to make this RIGHT NOW. It does look fantastic Kelly! I think I know what I’ll be whipping up this week. :)
Wow what beautiful pics!! A very festive recipe! Can’t wait to try it…
Love the book draw too, looks like a great one.
Lynn
KoKo… thank you for your thoughtful note. It made my day!! ;0). I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you… xo.
Liked you on FB and a follower of Twitter since LONG.
Beautiful clicks. Your panna cotta look so festive too.
Love Sara’s book too. Wish me good luck!
Your pannacotta jelly beauty is OVERWHELMINGLY awesome :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
THERE IS TOO MUCH AWESOMENESS IN THIS POST!
Firstly, I love love love the classic Canadian moment!
Secondly, I looked at every single link you posted and they are all great- I love the natural eco-friendly paints and such from Glob, and the super fun aprons (I’m actually an apron…hoarder? collector? I loooove fun vintage-looking aprons!)
Thirdly, your panna cotta looks so stunning for Christmas. It’s just beautiful to look at, and I bet it tastes great, too. I had panna cotta only once, but it was in Venice, so I feel like it must have been the best of the best ha ha! I should give it a go and see how my attempt compares…but I trust in your recipe!!!
Lastly, what an amazing giveaway! I have heard of this cookbook and actually pinned a recipe from it that was on the internet. The photography and recipes are just stunning. I would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity Kelly!
I love Sara’s website. I love to win this book! I’m already subscribed to your pages and email, but I’ll double check.
I would love to win the cookbook :)