For All Mothers

This is a delicious and simple dessert that would be perfect for your mother this weekend. Heck it would be good on any day or in the car on the way to work, in a dark theater all by yourself sitting in the back row or while walking the family pooch. This stuff was yummy! But really what's there not to love about cream and brown sugar?

I found this recipe by chance while we were in DC in February. I'm not sure how I came across it and that doesn't really matter now because all that's important is that this panna cotta and I crossed paths. I love sour cream and brown sugar together, especially with fruit- berries to be exact. It reminds me of Romanoff Sauce that I made for Mother's Day last year. Flavor wise, the only difference is that Romanoff Sauce has Brandy in it and this panna cotta does not.

Top: Cooked cream and brown sugar

Bottom: Cooked cream, brown sugar and sour cream

It was creamy. Oh so creamy! It was silky, smooth, mildly sweetened and wonderfully rich. Berries are definitely recommended to eat along with this to cut through the richness. Of course you could go over the top and drizzle some caramel sauce! I tried it with blueberries and raspberries for photo purposes but I really enjoyed it with sliced strawberries and a sprinkling of sugar in the raw. Heavenly I tell you! I also tried to brulee it and while the sugar got nice and crunchy on top the filling got a little soft so I don't recomment that. This was very simple and came together quickly. The hardest part is waiting for the cooked cream to set up. This serves 6-8 so you could serve it to a crowd without much effort. I hope you'll make this for your mom this weekend- I'm sure she'll love it!

Brown Sugar & Sour Cream Panna Cotta

adapted from Delicious Inspiration

• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream

In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons of cold water. Let stand for about 1 minute until softened. Do not stir.

In a heavy saucepan, combine the heavy cream and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat.

Whisk in the sour cream until smooth. Stir 1 cup of cream mixture into gelatin mixture, then stir cream and gelatin mixture back into reserved cream.

Divide mixture among individual serving bowls that have been lightly greased. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 4 hours or until set.

Serves 6-8

NOTE: I kept these in a covered container for a week in the refrigerator and they tasted just as fresh on the seventh day as they did on the first.

SERVING: I tried to unmold these and it didn't work out very well. I oiled the ramekins, let them sit out to take the chill off. I ran a thin knife around the panna cotta and I dipped the bottoms in warm water. I got the panna cotta out but it didn't look so pretty. So just save your time and eat them out of the bowl unless you don't care what they look like.

Happy mother's day to all you mothers out there. To the grandmothers, mothers, step mothers, daughters, aunts and sisters out there that have ever loved or cared for a child. To those of you who have children with you and those of you who are forever missing them.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.