Candied ginger panna cotta with mulled wine and cranberry jelly

Creamy panna cotta with a kick of ginger, with mulled cranberry n red wine jelly. The warm spices and ginger pair so well together. 

Another year closes, another chapter…..a year older, hopefully a year wiser.  This year has been a year of contemplation, to reflect, to learn and to discover. Some people enter our lives subtly and show us so much of kindness and generosity…it is baffling to understand and one is left with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Kindness is good if it passed on, and I do hope to pass it on what I have received from total strangers who have become good friends.

I wish I can narrate the story of his kindness, but since he has requested me not to, I will not. All I can say is am very grateful to people like him, who make the world such a beautiful place. I really hope I can be half as beautiful a person as people like him.

This post is for all of my friends and loved ones, who make my world what is it…. Thank you  for being there in my life.

Mushy as it may sound, but somethings have to be said….especially a heartfelt thank you.

Try making this panna cotta in cute ball jars. They come with a lid and you can gift them to your loved ones for the holidays.

I wanted to make the panna cotta pepper-mint flavor. Went to the store and bought pepper mint extract. Came home and opened the bottle, excited to smell the fresh aroma…..I thought I was sniffing into a bottle of pudin hara. Those of you from India, you know my plight. Well, for the rest of you, pudin hara is a mint medication that is used to treat an upset stomach…:(

The bottle of pepper-mint was tossed and I decided to go with warm winter spices instead….am so glad I did !!

8 - 4 oz mason jars

Panna cotta 

1 cup half n half
1 cup cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp clove powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/4 cup or less candied ginger chopped
2 pouch gelatin (without flavor)


Mulled wine jelly 

11/4  cup red wine
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cranberries
1 cinnamon stick
pinch star anise (optional)
1 packet gelitin

Garnish

Whipped cream
candy cane crushed

Method
In a cup add a little bit of warm water, add the gelatin and let it sit for a minute, add this into the half and half and cream and stir well, add the sugar, spices, candied ginger and transfer to mason jars - do not fill the whole jar, leave room for the jelly. Refrigerate, it takes about 2-3 hours to set OR about an hour in the freezer.

Add red wine, water sugar, spices, cranberries in a saucepan and let it simmer for 30 minutes. After all the cranberries are  cooked and mushy. Let it cool. This would have reduced to a little more than a cup.

Strain so you have clear juice. In a cup add a little bit of warm water, add the gelatin and let it sit for a minute, add this into the wine juice.

If the panna cotta has set, pour the jelly on it and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

For some I added the jelly on the bottom and for some on top. I used crushed candy cane (mint flavor) and whipped cream for garnish.

Serve chilled.

Went really overboard with pictures!! hope you like it.