Dark Chocolate & Orange Panna Cotta

I was given some kumquats from my parents who grow them so I had been on the look out for some new recipes to try. This one caught my which ended up being a triple feature because I got to make marmalade (Click HERE for the recipe) and candied kumquats (Click HERE for the recipe).
It also happened that I ran out of whipping cream which made me made that I didn’t check before I left for the store. I had found an easy substitute recipe online and I have to say I was impressed with how it turned out. I found that I had to melt the butter first to make sure it blended in with the milk.

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup milk

Mix with an electric mixer until desired consistency.

It did have a little yellow tint to it from the butter, but I didn’t mind. If I was making this for a dinner party I probably would have ran up to the store, but the substitute whipping cream worked for me.
I had also gotten a new brand of chocolate to try. Hubby is on a chocolate tasting kick lately (I’m not complaining) so we have been trying out all the different % and brands. We both love this one:

Dark Chocolate & Orange Panna Cotta

(Adapted from Passionate about baking)

Printer Friendly Version

Dark Chocolate Orange Cream

300ml low fat cream

125gm dark chocolate, chopped

Zest of 1 orange

Orange Marmalade Panna Cotta

300ml low fat cream

125 ml whole milk

2 tsp gelatin

2 tbsp bitter orange marmalade

1/2 cup sugar {use slightly less first, then adjust if required since the marmalade will also add to the sweetness}

Dark Chocolate Orange Cream

Place the chocolate in a large bowl.

Bring the milk to a simmering boil in a small pan and pour over the chocolate.

Add the zest of 1 orange and stir until the chocolate has melted and is satiny smooth.

Place 6 wine glasses at a slant in a loaf pan, and pour the chocolate mixture into them.

Leave these to set in the fridge for 2-3 hours till they hold shape.

Orange Marmalade Panna Cotta

Sprinkle the gelatin over 25ml or about 1/4 cup of milk and place the bowl over hot water for gelatin to melt.

Bring the cream, sugar & remaining milk to a simmering boil over low heat, simmer for 5 minutes.

Take cream mixture off heat, whisk in the gelatin and bitter orange marmalade. Whisk well so that the gelatin is mixed uniformly. Adjust sugar if required.

Cool to room temperature and then pour over the set dark chocolate orange mousse.

Chill until set for at least 4 hours, or overnight.