Panna Cotta with Roasted Grapes

A few weeks back, when friends were visiting for Thanksgiving week, I decided to make a few of my favorite things.  One of the items on my list was panna cotta.

As you can see from the photo that I took (just before presenting them to the table - and yes, I am one of those people that take pictures of what I eat), I added roasted grapes that I tossed in a bit of balsamic vinegar and brown sugar.  

If you are looking for easy desert ideas to serve your family- I can't recommend this highly enough.

Panna Cotta with Roasted Grapes

(serves 8)

Red grapes

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

4 cups of heavy cream or half and half

1/2 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons of vanilla extract

2 packets of gelatin

6 tablespoons of cold water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Toss grapes with vinegar and brown sugar.  Roast for 30-45 mins- until grapes are slightly shriveled.

Heat the cream and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved, remove from the head and stir in the vanilla.

Oil eight ramekins.

Add gelatin to cold water in a bowl and let stand for 5 minutes, then pour creamy mixture over until gelatin is dissolved.

Divide mixture into ramekins, refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 

When ready to serve, add grapes and drizzle with balsamic glaze.