Panna Cotta and Poached Pears in Merlot Syrup

Panna cotta—the name literally means “cooked cream”—is a smooth, alabaster white, rich molded custard. After years of being unknown outside of its native Piedmont in northern Italy, panna cotta is turning up on restaurant menus all over this country. In its simplest form, it is sweetened heavy cream, flavored with lemon and vanilla and sometimes rum, set with gelatin (not baked) and unmolded in individual servings.

I first enjoyed this beautifully composed panna cotta as the conclus