This week for Cooking Around the World, a simple recipe for panna cotta to remember a localย ristorante in Vogogna, one of our favorite small towns in Italy
I confess I am often a creature of habit when it comes to food. If I find something I love at a restaurant, I simply have to order it over and over and over again.
Now and then I get adventurous and try new things on the menu, but there are moments when I find a dish so delicious that I canโt talk myself into anything else.
Such was the case at the Vecchio Borgho, a restaurant/bar at the end of a narrow, cobbled street in the village of Vogogna in Italyโs Piedmont.
Itโs set on a lovely spot, across the street from a wonderful oldย church and next to a rocky stream bed that winds down from the mountain towering behind the village.
I was in Vogogna on the first Travel Belles trip to Italy last fall.ย It was our first night and we were giddy with happiness at being in such a charming small town in our beloved Italy. We were also ravenous from a long day of travel.
Margo led us to the Vecchio Borgho โ a place she and her daughters hadย frequented during their stay in Vogogna a few months before. Her rave reviews of the menu had us salivating before we even sat down.
She did not steer us wrong. From the house wine and bread to succulentย grilled vegetables and seafood, everything was absolutely delectable. But nothing prepared me for dessert: panna cotta with caramel sauce.
From the first bite, I was undone. I closed my eyes in sheer bliss as the silken panna cotta melted on my tongue, mingling with caramel sauce so intense it was almost bitter. I was in heaven and lingered over every glorious spoonful.
Over the next few days, we returned to the Vecchio Borgho as often as our schedule allowed. No matter what I chose for the main course, my meal always ended with the caramel panna cotta. By our second appearance, the waitress recited my choice along with me, chuckling at my devotion to this simple dessert.
I have not been able to exactly replicate that marvelous recipe for panna cotta, butย this is the closest Iโve come thus far. Believe me, Iโm going to keep on trying.
Panna Cotta Recipe With Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
Vanilla Panna Cotta:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp powdered gelatin
- 1 jar caramel sauce (or make your own)
Directions:
Add cream, vanilla, and sugar to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and let sit for 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the powdered gelatin and return to the stovetop over low heat. Use a whisk to dissolve the gelatin. Donโt let it simmer. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve (this will remove any undissolved gelatin) then pour into individual ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until set, about 1 hour.
When ready to serve, turn out panna cotta onto dessert plates andย drizzle with caramel sauce.
Note: To lighten up Kristaโs recipe for panna cotta a bit, substitute half and half for heavy cream.
For more information about Vogogna, visit their official website
* All photos property of and by Krista Bjorn except for one of Vecchio Borgo sign by Margo Millure
** By popular demand: Hereโs the villa rental in Vogogna where we stayed last fall.
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Youโre so welcome, Briana! It was definitely the most luscious panna cotta Iโve EVER tasted. ๐
Yum, I remember this! Happy memories of delicious food in great company ๐
Yummy! Iโm so excited to try this recipe out and recreate those divine evenings in Vecchio Borgho, thinking of my Belles ๐
Yum! So much better than the dry tortes favored by some Italians.
awwww, I miss panna cotta (miss you all more, of course). Iโll try this at home โ especially since I donโt have to attempt caramel sauce to be legit here in travel belle land.
I love panna cotta Krista. I love your sentence โfrom the first bite I was undoneโ.
Love your Falling In Love With An Italian Dessert storyโI can relate! Grazie for the gorgeous photos and recipe!
Looks divine Krista โ thanks for sharing this with us & what a fantastic setting to dig into this Italian classic!
Yum! Such a decadent dessert ๐
Not only does that Panna Cotta look lovely, so do the other photos. I LOVE Italy!!
Iโm not traditionally a panna cotta fan, but I think I could change my ways for that first photo up there!
The BEST memories, Kate! Loved exploring Italy with you guys. ๐
Oh, anything with caramel sauce, yes please!
*Drool*
Looks deliciousโฆ and kinda like flan?
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! I cannot wait to try the recipe.
I love Panna Cotta! Instead of Caramel sauce, you could try it with some berries sauce to cut the creaminess of the Panna Cotta.
Thank you for the recipe and Iโm off to make some of my own ๐
I love berry sauce too! Let us know how it comes out!
Awww, thinking of you too, Katy!!! ๐
I agree, Judith. Dry desserts do NOT delight me. ๐
Oooo, Iโve never tried it with berries, Tabby. I will definitely have to do that! ๐
I was surprised with how easy it was too, Abby! ๐ Always a good surprise. ๐
You absolutely do NOT have to make your own caramel sauce to be legit here, Margo! ๐ Bring on the delicious store bought!!
Oh, thank you, Cathy. ๐ Iโm so glad youโre a fan of it too. ๐
You are so welcome, Susan! Iโm delighted you liked the story. ๐
The setting was perfect, Tuula. ๐ Mountains behind, gorgeous old Italian homes around, beautiful church beside. I loved it. ๐
It sure is, Stephanie! ๐ Deeeeelicious. ๐
Thank you! I love Italy too โ such a beautiful, wonderful place. ๐
I think itโs the caramel sauce that REALLY makes this one. ๐
I hear ya, Samuel!! I LOVE that stuff. ๐
Itโs very similar, Erica. A bit lighter, smoother and silkier, but that same creamy loveliness. ๐
Thank you, Vickei! I hope you love it. ๐
It turns out great! Even better with berries sauce ๐