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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.

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Comments

  1. 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.

    Reply

  2. 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!

    Reply

  4. 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.

    Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

  6. 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.

    Reply

  11. 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.

    Reply

  17. 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.

    Reply

  23. 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*

    Reply

  35. 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!

    Reply

  39. 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? 🙂

    Reply

  43. 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!

    Reply

  46. 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!

    Reply

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