panna cotta with fresh berries and red berry juice

[RandyW]

Ingredients

1 pint strawberries, hulled and diced

1/2 pint blueberries

1/2 pint blackberries, halved

1/2 pint raspberries

1/2 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar

1 package powdered gelatin

1 pint nonfat half-and-half

2 vanilla beans (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)

1 1/2 cups lowfat milk

1/2 cup whipped cream

Mint sprigs

Procedure

Divide each berry portion in half. In a small saucepan, stir together half the berries, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 cups water. On a medium-low flame, reduce to a thick consistency, about 1 hour. Strain and chill. Dissolve gelatin in 2 tbsp warm water for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine half-and-half and 2/3 cup sugar. Cut vanilla beans in half; using a paring knife, scrape seeds from inside beans into saucepan; add beans. Slowly bring mixture to a boil. Whisk in milk and gelatin; strain beans and extra gelatin. Cool slightly; pour into 8 glasses; chill until set, about 8 hours. Top with 2 or 3 tbsp berry juice, remaining berries, whipped cream, and a sprig of mint.

This recipe is LOADED with fresh berries that are all high in Anti Oxidants and are healthy for Any situation. You can also substitute sugar with Equal but does need sugar of some sort as it is a dessert!!

[CaroleHammett]

Hi, Randy.

This sounds Deliciious!

The only changes I'd suggest are (1) non-fat or low fat/sugar free whipped cream instead of regular whipped cream; and (2) Splenda as a substitute for sugar rather than Equal, although I'm not certain in the latter case that either will work as the sugar is being heated into a syrup and most of these substitutes don't do well for syrups or baking.

Oh, well. Guess we're going to need volunteers to research this question and let us know, right?

Carole

[SandraL]

looks yummy and your fine is now paid off ...never mind you are in my good books!