5 Step Dessert Makeover with Honey Nut Kefir Panna Cotta
Feb
2Posted in [12 Days to a Better 2012], [Recipes] By LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir
2/2/2012 12:00 PM
We’re almost at the end of our 12 day journey to feeling better in 2012, and we hope you’re ready to celebrate! But what’s a celebration without dessert? Just because you’re trying to eat more nutritious foods doesn’t mean you have to kiss your sweet tooth good bye. Check out these quick tips for making smarter dessert choices, plus an amazing recipe for Honey Nut Panna Cotta from Chef Sandy Bierlein of Sweet Sandy B’s. Check out the end of this post for a chance to win one of our yummy recommendations for free!
Sweet tips:
- Try fruit! Don’t look at us that way, we know you aren’t going to replace your beloved chocolate cake with an apple. Get creative and grill some pineapple or banana slices. The caramelized sugar elevates lowly, healthy fruit to a sweet, warm dessert you’ll love.
- Let them eat cake! Top low-fat angel food cake slices with fresh berries, drizzle on some chocolate sauce for a special treat.
- Two words: frozen kefir. With all the probiotic benefits of our drinkable Kefir, Lifeway Frozen Kefir is a tasty, low-calorie treat. Plus it's gluten-free and 99% lactose-free, so just about anyone can enjoy it!
- Cheat! (Sometimes.) Rather than doing dessert every day, pick one or two days a week to indulge. You’ll look forward to “ice cream Friday” or “chocolate cake” Sunday all week, and you won’t feel like you’re denying yourself.
- Pull a switch-a-roo. Replace up to ½ the fat (butter or oil) in your baking recipes with mashed bananas, apple sauce or other pureed fruits.
Still in the mood for something sweet? Check out our dessert recipes, and this Honey Nut Panna Cotta (made with kefir!) from Sweet Sandy B.
Panna cottta ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups almond milk
- pinch of sea salt
- ¾ cup plain Lifeway Kefir
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 ½ tsp brown sugar
- 1 scraped vanilla bean or 5 grams vanilla paste
- 2 gelatin sheets
For the topping:
- ½ cup salted almond slivers
- ¼ cup honey
Method:
- In a medium saucepan, over low-to-medium heat, combine 1 cup of almond milk with sea salt, honey, brown sugar and vanilla. Be careful not to boil the mixture, just heat it until small bubbles form at the sides of the pot.
- In a separate bowl, combine remaining ¼ cup almond milk with kefir and set aside.
- Soak gelatin sheets in cold water for 5-10 minutes until they are soft.
- Once the almond milk and honey mixture is heated, remove it from heat and add the softened gelatin. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved.Add the Kefir mix to the warm almond milk mix, stir to combine.
- Place the pot in ice bath for about 10 minutes, stirring often until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Pour into 4 ramekins- or any small dishes you like and place in refrigerator to set up for at least 3 hours.
To serve:
Warm the ¼ cup honey over low heat or for a few seconds in the microwave. Stir in the salted almond slivers.
Remove the panna cotta from the ramekins and top with the warm honey and almond topping poured over the top.
Want to check out our delicious Frozen Kefir? Look for it at Whole Foods, Wegmans, Kroger Natural Markets and other retailers - or, leave us a comment below about your favorite way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Be sure to enter your email address when you do (don't worry, it won't be public) because we're going to choose 10 people who comment to receive a coupon to try our Frozen Kefir for free! Winners will be contacted via email tomorrow.
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