Milk Kefir Panna Cotta
Photography by Kelly Gibney.
The pleasant tang of fermented milk kefir adds a lively note to this silky vanilla dessert. A wonderfully light way to end a meal.
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
2½ sheets gelatin
350ml cream
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon good quality vanilla paste
150ml unsweetened milk kefir
Blackberry, honey and chia sauce
250 grams frozen blackberries
4 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla paste
½ cup water
2 tablespoons chia seeds
METHOD
Blackberry sauce: Place the blackberries, honey, vanilla and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. Stir through the chia seeds and use a fork to mash about half of the berries. Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Panna cotta: Soak the gelatin leaves in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes. Place the cream and sugar in a medium saucepan and simmer very gently for 5 minutes. Stir constantly to ensure the sugar is dissolved.
Remove the gelatin from the water, squeeze tightly and add to the saucepan along with the vanilla paste. Whisk well to combine. Leave to cool for 5 minutes before adding the kefir and stirring well.
Pour into 4 dariole moulds greased with a mild tasting oil. Place in the fridge to set for at least 4-6 hours. To remove from the moulds, dip into a bowl of hot water for 3-5 seconds. Insert a thin knife down the side at the top to release the rim. Turn onto your plate or serving dish.
Top with the berries and serve immediately.
Cook’s note: You will find unsweetened kefir in bottles in the yoghurt section of the supermarket.

Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
latest issue:
Issue #120
As the days become shorter, and the nights cooler, the latest issue is perfectly timed to deliver delicious autumn dishes. From recipes using fresh seasonal produce such as feijoas and apples, to spectacular soothing soups and super-quick after-work meals in our Food Fast section, we’ve got you covered. With Easter on the horizon, we feature recipes that will see you through breakfast, lunch and dinner over a leisurely weekend holiday, and whip up chocolatey baking treats sure to please. We round up delicious dinners for two and showcase a hot new Korean cookbook before heading south to Dunedin to check out all that’s new in food and dining.The latest issue of dish is on sale NOW at all good bookstores and supermarkets – don’t miss it!