Everything White

Bright white. Blinding light. Cold white flakes. Piled up like confectioner's sugar. Anyone have a spoon? Today is the perfect day to have something white to eat. Match the landscape here in the Northeast. Potatoes, flour, sugar, salt, asparagus, cheddar cheese, milk...all come in white. My favorite of all though? COCONUT!! Pure white, sweet and juicy. Just so happens, I saw a recipe for Coconut Panna Cotta....rich, creamy, not overly sweet. I will probably leave out the fruit.. Who needs fiber anyway?

Coconut Panna Cotta with Tropical Fruit (courtesy of Viva Daisy)

6 servings

1 tablespoon powdered gelatin

1 (15-ounce) can coconut cream (recommended: Coco Loco)

1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk

2 cups chilled heavy cream

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Assorted tropical fruits, such as: kiwi, mango, and papaya, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice, for garnish (about 1 1/2 cups total)

Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over 3 tablespoons of cool water in a small bowl. Set aside to soften.

In a medium saucepan, heat the coconut cream and coconut milk over medium heat until the sides begin to bubble. Lower the heat and whisk in the softened gelatin, stirring to make sure it is completely dissolved.

Fill a large bowl with cold water. Strain the coconut mixture into a bowl that will fit easily into the bowl of water. Set into the bowl of water to cool, stirring every few minutes with a rubber spatula until the mixture starts to thicken. If the mixture starts to set, remove it immediately.

Remove the bowl of coconut mixture from the bowl of water. Empty out the water and wipe the bowl dry.
In the dry bowl, stir the cream and confectioners' sugar together until the sugar is dissolved.

Stir into the coconut mixture.

Divide the coconut mixture evenly among 6 (7 to 8-ounce) custard cups or ramekins.

Chill until firm, at least 4 hours.

To serve, run a knife around the inside edge of the molds and invert each panna cotta onto a serving plate. Spoon some of the diced fruit over each, allowing the fruit to spill onto the plate.