Lemon Verbena Panna Cotta with Strawberries

Recipe courtesy of The Farm Cooking School From our friends at Edible Jersey

This version of panna cotta uses lemon verbena from the garden and whatever fruit is perfectly ripe, such as strawberries.

For variety, try it with blackberries or blueberries.

Photography By | March 30, 2022

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 6 Serving(s)
For the panna cotta
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 (6-inch-long) lemon verbena sprigs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • ¼ cup sour cream
For the fruit topping
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4 lemon verbena sprigs
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 cups seasonal fruit (such as strawberries), sliced if necessary
  • Wood sorrel leaves for garnish

Preparation

STEP 1:

Heat 1 cup of the cream in a small saucepan over low heat with the verbena, sugar and salt until it simmers. Remove from the heat and cover. Let steep 10 minutes.

STEP 2:

While the cream steeps, sprinkle the gelatin over the water in a small cup or bowl, to soften.

STEP 3:

Remove the verbena from the cream, then whisk in the gelatin mixture until dissolved. Whisk in the sour cream and chill the cream mixture until it has the consistency of egg whites.

STEP 4:

Whip the remaining cup heavy cream until it just holds soft peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the chilled cream mixture, then divide between oiled ½-cup ramekins. Chill until the panna cotta is set, about 3 hours. Remove the panna cottas from their molds if desired.

For the fruit:

Bring the water, sugar, verbena and a pinch of salt to a boil. Boil 5 minutes, then discard the verbena. Pour the hot syrup over the fruit. Serve the panna cottas with the fruit verbena syrup drizzled over it. Garnish with the wood sorrel.

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 6 Serving(s)
For the panna cotta
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 (6-inch-long) lemon verbena sprigs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • ¼ cup sour cream
For the fruit topping
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4 lemon verbena sprigs
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 cups seasonal fruit (such as strawberries), sliced if necessary
  • Wood sorrel leaves for garnish