Panna Cotta with Roasted Red Grapes
“The 12 Grapes” is a Spanish tradition in which one eats 12 grapes at midnight to welcome the New Year, making a wish with each grape. It’s also the inspiration for this delicious fusion with a traditional Italian dessert. (Serves four.)
- 1-3/4 cups heavy cream
- 1-3/4 cups whole milk
- 1-3/4 cups sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split in have lengthwise (seeds removed and reserved)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 3 cups crème fraîche
- 48 red grapes
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 2 cups red wine
Combine heavy cream, 1-1/3 cups milk, 3/4 cup sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, and lemon zest in a medium-size pot and heat. Stir occasionally until thermometer reads 160 degrees. Remove from heat and cover gelatin for 10 minutes to steep. Put remaining 1/2 cup cold milk in a small bowl, add gelatin, and set aside for 5 minutes to soften.
Return the pot to medium heat, add salt and gelatin mixture, and stir to dissolve. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, whisk in crème fraîche, then transfer to 4 molds or cups. Refrigerate overnight. Add grapes, 1 cup sugar, and lemon juice in a separate bowl. Refrigerate overnight as well.
In a pot, cook wine over medium heat for approximately 15 minutes. Do not reduce by more than half. Add grapes and any liquid to wine and warm (do not boil). Pour liquid and grapes into a container and refrigerate until cool. Do this step at least an hour before you serve.
To serve, run a knife around the edge of the mold, and turn the mold over onto serving plate. Spoon grapes (12 per serving) and sauce over the top. Happy New Year!