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Chocolate Panna Cotta

SMART SUBSTITUTION To make this popular Italian dessert lighter, use reduced-fat cream cheese and skim milk in place of the traditional heavy cream. Thanks to the semisweet chocolate, it still tastes rich.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
1 1/2 cups cold skim milk
3 tablespoons sugar
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces
3 ounces reduced-fat bar cream cheese, room temperature
Pinch of salt
Reduced-fat sour cream, for serving (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold milk. Let soften, about 5 minutes. Cook over low heat, stirring until gelatin has dissolved (mixture will feel smooth when rubbed between fingers), about 3 minutes. Add sugar; stir until dissolved. Add remaining 1 cup milk; heat over low until warm (do not boil), about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

    Step 2

    Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; heat on high in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until melted. Add cream cheese to chocolate; using a flexible spatula, stir until combined. Pour 1/4 cup gelatin mixture into chocolate mixture; stir until smooth. Gradually add remaining gelatin mixture, then salt, stirring until smooth. Divide among four 6-ounce glasses or custard cups; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours (or up to 2 days).

    Step 3

    Serve panna cottas topped with sour cream, if desired.

  2. nutrition information

    Step 4

    Per Serving (without Sour Cream)

    Step 5

    Calories: 231

    Step 6

    Fat: 11.1g (7g Saturated Fat)

    Step 7

    Protein: 7.5g

    Step 8

    Carbohydrates: 28.1g

    Step 9

    Fiber: 1.1g

Everyday Food: Light
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