It is my dad’s birthday this Sunday. It has been a really really LONG time since I have celebrated with him in person. The last time was probably 13 years ago. It was before I came to the States for college. After that, e-cards and phone calls are how we celebrate birthdays every year. Even though we are still miles and miles apart this year, I would like to dedicate this dessert to him.
My dad loves mango! Actually, let me rephrase it… He loves all kind of fruits. Papaya, watermelon, durian, berries, lychee and many more. Whenever he travels, the first thing he looks for is cheap local fruits. There are always fruits in my parents’ home and hotel rooms.
Since anything with fruits will make him happy, I know he would enjoy this dessert. Creamy panna cotta with a layer of sweet Mango jelly. Rich and not overly sweet. A basic panna cotta is made of heavy cream. This one is a little different. It also had sour cream. The addition of the sour cream gave the panna cotta a hint of tanginess and depth of flavors. Then, there was the mango jelly. It was like a really thick puree. Its sweetness makes a great balance with the cream. Don’t forget to top with some more ripe mangoes. More is better! This dessert is pretty and can be made ahead. It would be an excellent ending in any dinner party.
Happy Birthday DAD! Love you very much! Enjoy the virtual panna cotta for now! Next time when we meet, I will make one for you!
Mango Panna Cotta
4 servings
Ingredients:
– 2 – 3 Ataulfo or Manila mangoes (cut into ½-inch cubes)
Panna Cotta:
– 1 tablespoon cold water
– 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
– 1½ cup heavy whipping cream
– ¼ cup sugar
– dash of salt
– ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
– ½ cup sour cream
Mango Jelly:
– ½ teaspoon unflavored gelatin
– 1 tablespoon cold water
– 2 Ataulfo or Manila mangoes
– 1 tablespoon water
– 1 – 5 tablespoon(s) sugar (depends on the sweetness of the mangoes)
Directions:
- For the panna cotta, in a small bowl, add 1 tablespoon cold water. Sprinkle the gelatin over evenly and let it sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the heavy cream, sugar, salt and vanilla. Cook until just warm and the sugar has melted. Do not boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir in the gelatin and cook until dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, add the sour cream. Slowly pour the warm cream over while whisking gently. Whisk until combined and smooth.
- Prepare 4 (1-cup) ramekins, mason jars or glass cups. Pour the cream mixture evenly into the containers. Keep in the fridge for at least 3½ hours. Make sure the panna cotta is set before moving on to the mango jelly layer.
- For the mango jelly, remove the flesh from the mangoes and place into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Measure 1 cup mango pulp and transfer to a small saucepan. In a small bowl, add 1 tablespoon cold water. Sprinkle the gelatin over evenly and let it sit for 5 minutes. Back to the saucepan, add 1 tablespoon water. Taste and add desired amount of sugar. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until sugar has melted and the puree is hot. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir in the gelatin and cook until dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes. Scoop over the panna cotta. If needed, jiggle lightly to spread the mango puree. Chill for at least 3 more hours.
- To serve, top each container with fresh mango cubes. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- If you can’t find sweet mangoes, use canned mango pulp for the jelly and skip the fresh mango cubes on top.
- Feeling lazy? Skip the mango jelly.
- 1 package of Knox unflavored gelatin is more than enough for making both the panna cotta and mango jelly.
- This serving size can be a little too much if you have a full meal. You can divide the warm cream into 6 containers (about 1/3 cup each).
(Adapted from The Splendid Table)
Awe! That is really sweet of you Lokness. MANGOES!!! It is definitely my favorite and when it’s season I can’t get enough. Love the presentation and the photos, look so cute 🙂
Thanks so much Maggie! Mangoes are always so sweet and fragrant. They are my favorite! I just wish I can get better Philippines mangoes in the States! There are similar varieties, but they don’t taste exactly the same. 🙁
What a sweet post! Happy birthday to your dad!! I hope you two will be sitting down to enjoy a good meal (and some treats) together very soon. My husband and I are so with you on the mango love. Your panna cotta looks beautiful and the flavor must be addicting. Mangoes are so good right now. I have 2 sitting at home and I made mango sago just about a week or so ago. : )
Thanks Monica! My parents should be coming to visit next year, so we will get together soon!
Mangoes are the best! So sweet… Mango sago sounds like a great idea! I always love that. 🙂
aww….that’s a lovely picture. 🙂 happy birthday to your daddy! This is such a wonderful dessert! I LOVE mangos and I’m so happy they are in season now! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Thank you Amy! If you love mango, you would really love this! So creamy and rich. Pair so well with those sweet ripe mangoes.
First of all, Happy (early) Birthday to your Dad! It’s so cute that you are dedicating this post to him and made something specifically for him. I lost my father almost two years ago… so reading about your bond with your Dad, despite the distance between you, made my heart warm and fuzzy. Dad’s are the best, aren’t they??
This panna cotta sounds delicious, especially with the addition of mango! Drooling! Yummmmmm-ieee! Pinning and totally making this! Cheers, girlie!
Thanks so much Cheyanne! I know that I have to cherish the time with my dad (and my mom too). That is why I want to do something special and different for him this year. Even though he can’t taste it, at least he knows I did this just for him. 🙂
Anyhow, I hope you will like this panna cotta as much as we do! Thanks for sharing!
Ahhhh Mangoes melt my heart and soul. Can’t say no to any mango dish at all. For now, I will bookmark this recipe and wait till summer so I can make this. Thanks for this wonderful recipe!
Right? Mangoes are so special! Let me know how it goes if you try it!
This looks so refreshing, mangoes are sitting in my fridge right now just waiting to be used. I might have to make a vegan exception here!
Haha! Sorry to break your diet! This panna cotta is too good to pass. Enjoy! 😉
Happy birthday to your dad!
lol, my parents always have fruit in their house and hotel rooms. Whenever I go on trips with my mom, I can count on her having fruits come snack time.
Love the styling! Those little jars are the cutest!
Thanks girl! LOL! Exactly the same! When traveling with my parents, fruits are the snacks. Nothing else. 🙂 Anything in the mason jars look great, right?
Happy belated birthday to your Dad! I LOVE, LOVE your creamy, amazingly looking Panna Cotta. OMG just perfect. I have to get my hands on some mangoes and that’s my next dessert.
Thanks so much, Oana! I like that it has sour cream in the panna cotta. Brings another depth of flavors. Really good. Enjoy!
The photos are so beautiful Lokness! Happy belated b-day to your dad and this looks so perfect for summer!! 🙂
Thank you Bonnie! My dad loves the idea of the panna cotta. He is waiting to try it soon (a year?). 🙂
Yum, I love mangoes and these mango and panna cotta is such a perfect combo. Happy birthday to your dad 🙂
Thanks!!!! The mango and panna cotta combination is a great balance of sweet and richness. Really delicious!