Hugs….
How do you translate a hug into food? That was my challenge of sorts.
For you see one of my favorite food bloggers and all around wonderful person Barb, of Winos and Foodies, thought it would be a good idea to see if there were in advances in chemotherapy. You might know Barb from her efforts for getting the word out about cancer with her LiveStrong with a Taste of Yellow event that she has hosted for the last two years. Unfortunately Barb is back to battling cancer. Some of us fellow food bloggers (headed up by Bron and Ilva) thought it would be a good idea to send Barb a big cyberspace hug. Letting her know we are sending her every good thought that we could possible muster up!
So I thought long and hard about what to make. What would say comfort and love. Hot chocolate. Hot chocolate always makes me feel at peace. And I want Barb to feel at peace.
I am one of those who can not have hot chocolate without marshmallows ( well, I suppose if I was forced I could). Marshmallow panna cotta popped up in my head. Only problem…no one had made that yet…well if they did it’s not in cyberspace. So off to the experimenting I went. It only took two tries and I thought it would take much longer. The second time was a charm so to speak and let us hope that Barb’s second time is a charm as well.
To compliment the panna cotta I made a Peppermint “Hot Chocolate” Soup for it to swim in. If you wandering if it taste like marshmallow. Yes, like a big creamy, smooth one.
All the best Barb, we are thinking of you!
(((((((((HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS,HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS))))))
Marshmallow Panna Cotta with Peppermint “Hot Chocolate” Soup
Marshmallow Panna Cotta
2 cups heavy cream
½ cup half and half (or you can use more heavy cream)
½ cup marshmallow fluff
1 package (¼ ounce) unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Place ½ cup of cream in a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin over the cream. Let gelatin bloom for about 5 minutes.
Put remaining cream and half and half into a medium saucepan on medium-low heat. Add marshmallow fluff and whisk into cream mixture. As the mixture heats up the marshmallow will start to melt into it, keep whisking to make sure it full incorporates.
Turn heat to low and add in the bloomed gelatin, whisking again to make sure it fully incorporates.
Add sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk until sugar has dissolved.
Pour mixture into ramekins of your choice. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours but serve that day or the next for best texture and flavor.
Unmold by dipping ramekins into hot water for a few seconds. Flip the panna cotta over into a shallow soup bowl. Pour in chocolate soup. Garnish with candy cane pieces and extra chocolate if you like.
“Hot Chocolate” Soup
1 cup whole milk
1 cup half and half
3 heaping TBSP powdered peppermint hot chocolate
2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
2 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
Place milk in a medium saucepan and whisk in hot chocolate. Add half and half and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate. Let sit for about 3 minutes.
Whisk to incorporate the chocolate until totally smooth. Let cool slightly as to not melt the panna cotta when served with it.
55 Responses
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December 5th, 2008 at 3:10 am
PEabody, what a lovely post. I am sure that it is sending tons of good vibes to Barb. The recipe is lovely and gentle. Panna Cotas are so delicious, creamy..comforting in my opinion.
December 5th, 2008 at 3:27 am
Wow, when you described this in your email earlier today Peabody, I knew it would be beautiful – however this is really stunning!
Thank you so much for sharing such an inspired and beautiful dessert hug for Barbara and us all to enjoy!
December 5th, 2008 at 3:34 am
[...] Peabody @ Culinary Concoctions Filed under Musings, Food Blog Events, Fish, Spring, Appetizer, Spring 2008 — [...]
December 5th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Such a beautiful dessert! I’m sure Barbara’s going to love it!
Cheers,
Rosa
December 5th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Wow Peabody this is fabulous. Panna cotta is one of the few things I have been able to eat this week. Marshmallow panna cotta sounds amazing and yours is so pretty. Thank you for the virtual hug and a sunny Australian hug back at you.
December 5th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I’ve never had a panna cotta…this makes me think I should do something about that soon. I’m sure your friend will enjoy it a lot. Cancer sucks!
December 5th, 2008 at 6:01 am
mmmm, hot chocolate & Panna Cotta, the ultimate in comfort. You picked the perfect treat to send to a friend in need. It looks and sounds sooo good, I’ll definitely be serving this one at my next dinner party. I wish your friend Barbara the best.
December 5th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Definitely a great, delicious, “hug-worthy” dessert.
December 5th, 2008 at 6:21 am
This looks delicious! What a sweet way to honor your friend
December 5th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Thanks a lot for participating, I love this panna cotta, what a wonderful idea!
December 5th, 2008 at 8:05 am
You are not only creative but very thoughtful! What a great dessert and an even better thought behind it.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:09 am
You amaze me. That translates into lots and lots of hugs for sure. What a great “gift” for her!
I had no idea Barb was battling cancer again. That breaks my heart to hear.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Peabody you are amazing! What a great post and wonderful creation.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Swimming in a pool of hot chocolate, marshmallow . . . genius of a hug!!
December 5th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I think you totally achieved “hug” with this marshmallow panna cotta. I can’t think of anything that would make me feel more at peace than this!
December 5th, 2008 at 10:37 am
On a much happier note:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/12/kelloggs-saves-mothers-cookies-acquires-recipes-trademarks.html
December 5th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Leave it to Peabody to make upscale hot cocoa!!
What a delightful and beautiful *hug*. You rocked this one, chica! xxoo
December 5th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Extra hugs to Barb from all of us, as well.
And seriously, Peabody, I love everything you post. I think you have such a gift. But this?? Probably my favorite thing I have ever seen in the blogging world. Really.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:20 am
What a wonderful sentiment…and dessert. Just like a warm hug. You’re so awesome, Peabody!
December 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
This dessert looks delicious…..and your post is so sweet. The garnish is a great touch!
December 5th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Marshmallow panna cotta? You rock!
And big hugs to your friend Barb.
December 5th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
That’s absolutely beautiful, and I think a panna cotta is a perfect way to foodify a hug.
December 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Barbara does need a big hug from all of us to let her know we are praying and wishing her all the best:D
December 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
What a beautiful dessert, Peabody. I’d say that this is the ‘perfect’ hug on a plate for Barb, and I’m thrilled for you that she likes it!
More hugs for Barb from me! *hug* *hug* *hug*
December 5th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
What a wonderful friend you are, Peabody. I know this dish will bring Barb, and many others in her place, peace.
December 5th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Gorgeous! That says ‘hugs’ to me!
And Barbara, although we haven’t written to each other on the blog, I am sending you cyber hugs too.
December 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
YUM! Lovely post for the hug version on food, Peabody. Would love to scoop out some bit hehehe…
December 6th, 2008 at 1:47 am
this is genius! what a nice post for a friend…perfectly comforting.
December 6th, 2008 at 7:29 am
pity I don t find marshmallow fluff here. This looks super nice and yummy
December 6th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Thank you Peabody for being a constant source of inspiration. That panna cotta looks absolutely amazing!
December 6th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
How sweet of you to do that for your friend! Marshmallow panna cotta is such a creative idea (you never cease to impress me).
December 6th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
What a touching thing to do for a friend. That’s a great looking dessert!
December 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Really nice food photography!
December 6th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Great virtual hug post, and beautiful photos too.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Hot chocolate soup? That’s enough to make anyone feel better.
Paz
December 6th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I just made peppermint marshmallows a couple days ago and have been loving them in hot chocolate. It’s been all the flavours of your dessert, but not nearly as pretty looking!
December 7th, 2008 at 3:38 am
This is inspired; I love it. It’s the sort of thing I’d order in a restaurant!
December 7th, 2008 at 4:20 am
This is just quite the perfect hug!
December 7th, 2008 at 8:25 am
beautiful. sending a hug and best wishes to Barb.
December 7th, 2008 at 8:41 am
This would definitely bring loads of comfort! What a fantastic version of hot coco with marshmallows! I’m loving all the virtual hugs
Wouldn’t it be nice if one day it wasn’t all virtual? 
December 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
What a wonderful sentiment, and a truly fabulous dessert to match! Yum!!!
December 7th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Excellent hug and creative panna cotta, too. Hot chocolate as soup made me smile
December 7th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Ahhhh, the power of a cyberhug with a punch of pannacotta for Barbara. So amazing. I can feel the vibrations…nice.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:30 am
I hope Barbara gets better soon, too.
I just effing love this dessert. Such a perfect execution in flavor (such a classic, too!) and imagination. It’s a good thing the panna cotta experiment worked!
December 8th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Marshmallow panna cotta? That is absolutely brilliant! And it would be easy enough to veganize, too… Mm, I’m craving marshmallows now!
December 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
How incredibly thoughtful and, of course, delicious
December 8th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
This sounds too good to be true! I have been crushing up candy canes and melting them in my hot chocolate for the past week. This is the perfect dessert version of that!
December 8th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I can’t think of a better hug than one swimming in chocolate!!
December 8th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I love how versatile panna cotta is!
December 8th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
This looks soooo good! I definitely think it says ‘hug’ – hot chocolate with marshmallows done fancy enough for any restaurant!
December 8th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
wow you are so creative, peabody! i am sure that barb appreciates it
December 10th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Pea, what a lovely idea – so new and beautiful! I’m sure Barbara would enjoy this dessert very much.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Peabody, this is a fantastic idea for a Panna Cotta and how very comforting. I am sure Barbara licked the spoon twice after finishing this!!!
December 11th, 2008 at 2:53 am
That’s a lovely and yummy hug for Barbara! Beautiful, too.
April 12th, 2009 at 10:33 am
This was just awesome. Thanks for sharing.