Banana Panna Cotta
Bananas! I love bananas! I eat at least one every day, sometimes two, maybe even three! Bananas are a great snack food as they are ready to eat, give you a boost of energy and, contain potassium which (amongst other things) is needed for muscles (including the heart)!
I’ve been playing with a different ingredient recently, and you really need it for this delicious dessert. It is proving to be a fabulous product to use and I will be posting more recipes using this soon! The ingredient is… agar flakes. It is a vegan gelling agent used instead of gelatine. Agar is made from sea plants, but it has a neutral taste so it is perfect for use in sweet dishes. Flakes are easier to use, and I would recommend these. I have put a link below for the ones I use.
Panna Cotta is traditionally an Italian dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin and vanilla. Well, I’ve kept the vanilla! Panna Cotta translates to ‘cooked cream’ so technically, this recipe is far from a panna cotta, but the taste is still there!
The Banana Panna Cotta Recipe
This is quite a simple recipe. There are only 4 ingredients! Bananas… obviously! Milk – I used a thick unsweetened oat milk. A nice vanilla extract (see link to my favourite one below)! and, the last ingredient is agar flakes.
A vegan version of panna cotta, with a banana base,
- 300 g bananas (approximately 3)
- 300 ml milk (I used unsweetened oat)
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1.5 tablespoons agar flakes (use a measure)
- 1 whole banana
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Put the bananas in a pan withe the milk and vanilla.
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Mash the bananas as much as possible. Careful if you're using a non stick pan.
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Sprinkle the agar flakes over the mixture. Leave them to settle.
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Turn the heat on and wait until you have bubbles and it is starting to boil. Using a whisk, mix the agar in. Turn the heat down and leave to simmer for 10-15 minutes (or until the agar has completely dissolved).
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Slice the extra banana and place around your tin, dish or mould.
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Pour the panna cotta mixture over the bananas and tap gently on the worktop to get bubbles out and to level it.
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Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes then place in the fridge to set. This can take anything from 10 minutes to an hour.
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Carefully loosen the panna cotta from the tin, then tip out using a plate.
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Decorate with extras such as cocoa powder, fresh fruit (I used redcurrants from the garden) and cream.
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Enjoy!
How can I make it like yours?
You need to make this recipe almost exactly as described. I have tested it and it works. If you play around with the quantities, it will either not set, or it will be so very hard it will be like eating rubber! I know both of these in my various experimentations! Check out the stages in these photos.
What do I need?
I have put links here to the agar flakes I used, as well as the vanilla. If you are new to cooking or your kitchen needs a refresh, here are a few useful things for this recipe. I receive a small commission if you click and purchase through these links (this is at no additional cost to you)!
Serving
Panna cotta is usually served on it’s own, or with some fruit or coulis. Some do serve it with cream. Either way, it is delicious as it is! Spoon it, slice it, jazz it up and enjoy!
Storage
If you are storing this, please keep refrigerated. It should keep for a few days in the fridge but the bananas might change colour! I have not tried freezing this, so if you try, let me know!
Sharing
I hope you try making this panna cotta and see what a great dessert it is! What else would you like me to create that’s similar? … I’ve been experimenting! I would love to see your photos if you can stop eating this long enough to take any! Please share and tag me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.
Leave me a comment below… I love to chat!
I hope to speak with you soon
Laurena x