The Tangy Addition For A More Complex Panna Cotta

Light and refreshing panna cotta is the perfect dessert to serve after a substantial meal. The sweet dish isn't heavy but provides the refreshment so many yearn for after finishing the main course. Granted, serving panna cotta to guests requires some planning; after preparing the ingredients to make the dish and filling each ramekin with the creamy mixture, the dessert needs to be chilled and set for at least 8 hours. Once the dessert has firmed in its container, at-home chefs are tasked with the somewhat daunting prospect of removing the panna cotta from its mold to plate and serve.

Still, once plated, panna cotta makes for an impressive presentation. And while most diners have a certain expectation of how the dessert should taste, we have a culinary upgrade that can help you serve a more textured and nuanced panna cotta the next time you find yourself hosting dinner for friends.

When making the mixture for your panna cotta, consider adding in a few spoonfuls of yogurt or replacing heavy cream entirely with the dairy ingredient. The inclusion of yogurt will bring a tangy element to your panna cotta recipe and deepen the taste of the finished product. Plus, if you're planning on serving the dessert with fresh fruit, the bite of the yogurt will complement servings of seasonal berries, and yogurt can help you offer a lighter, less calorically-dense alternative to guests.

Use thicker Greek yogurt to prepare a mixture that results in that coveted panna cotta texture. The final dessert will be firmed, gelled, and satisfyingly smooth enough to dip a spoon into. While technically a cheese and not a yogurt, skyr can also add tangy, luxurious flavor and rich texture to the panna cotta you make at home. After trying this ingredient swap, you'll be finding yourself lining up ramekins in your fridge on the regular.