Step into the smooth and delightful world of Carnivore Yogurt Panna Cotta! This recipe is as easy to make as it is to eat. Plus, it’s unsweetened and unflavored, making it a top contender for those on a strict carnivore diet (as long as you’re cool with dairy).
Inspiration and Adaptation
This recipe has been a long time in the making-or at least the idea of it has been marinating for a while. It all started on the beautiful island of Santorini, Greece. A friend ordered a Greek yogurt panna cotta with red wine syrup for dessert, and I snagged a spoonful. Despite its sugary nature, it was refreshingly delicious!
Months, and eventually years, flew by, and I still hadn’t tackled the recipe. In the meantime, I ditched the keto lifestyle and embraced a strict carnivore diet. But this week, while sifting through my recipe idea list for what to publish here on my blog, I once again stumbled upon my long-postponed keto yogurt panna cotta with red wine syrup plan. Eureka! Inspiration struck: why not make a carnivore dessert out of it?
After pondering over the measures, I was ready to conduct my first experiment, yet again camera in hand to document the process. And voilà! I posted the recipe also in my private Finnish keto and carnivore community, and boy, did the members love it!
Understanding the Carnivore Diet and Dairy
Before diving into the recipe, it's important to understand the role of dairy within the carnivore diet. The carnivore diet primarily consists of animal products, with meat being the main component. Dairy consumption varies among individuals following the diet. Some include dairy products like cheese, butter, and yogurt, while others avoid them due to lactose intolerance or concerns about potential inflammatory effects.
Read also: Delicious Keto Chicken
Full-fat Greek yogurt gives this panna cotta its rich, creamy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Got questions about my Carnivore Yogurt Panna Cotta? I’ve got answers!
Can I use this as a paperweight? While it might not be the most practical paperweight, it could definitely hold down a few sheets of paper. Just be prepared for some puzzled looks from your coworkers.
How long does it take to set? Depending on your patience, it takes at least about 4 hours in the fridge to set properly.
Can I add other ingredients? Absolutely-if those are part of your diet!
Read also: Refreshing Keto Salad
My panna cotta didn’t set. What went wrong? Did you forget to bloom the gelatin? Or maybe you were too impatient and didn’t let your panna cotta chill long enough? Another possibility is that you used hydrolyzed gelatin, which doesn’t thicken.
How do I unmold it? Dip the bottom of the bowl in hot water for a few seconds and then gently invert it onto a plate. If it doesn’t come out, just grab a spoon and eat it straight from the bowl. Go big or go home!
Can I make a giant panna cotta? Just make sure you have a mold large enough, a fridge that can accommodate your ambitious creation, and plenty of extra time to let your giant panna cotta set.
Can I squish it to relieve stress? While it might feel satisfying to squish, I recommend sticking to traditional stress balls.
Will this bring me enlightenment? I can’t guarantee enlightenment, but a perfectly set panna cotta might bring you a moment of bliss and the famous carnivore zen.
Read also: Healthy Greek Keto Options
The Carnivore Yogurt Panna Cotta Recipe
This recipe focuses on simplicity and uses minimal ingredients to align with the carnivore diet principles.
Ingredients:
- Full-fat Greek yogurt
- Gelatin
- Water
- Heavy cream
Instructions:
- First, combine the water and gelatin in a small bowl.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes to bloom.
- While the gelatin is blooming, pour the cream into a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, occasionally mixing.
- When you see the first bubbles, remove from the heat.
- Add the bloomed gelatin to the hot cream.
- Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved in the cream.
- Add the yogurt to the cream and gelatin mixture.
- Whisk gently until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into small serving bowls, ramekins, or silicone muffin cups.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set.
- To serve, you can either serve the panna cotta directly in the bowls or unmold them onto serving plates, especially if you use muffin cups.
Let it sit for about 5 minutes to bloom. …remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk gently until well combined. Pour the mixture into small serving bowls or ramekins. Refrigerate your panna cottas for at least 4 hours, or until set. To serve, you can either present the panna cotta directly in the bowls or unmold them onto serving plates.
Tips for Variations
Ready to jazz up your Carnivore Yogurt Panna Cotta? My Tips for Variations section has got even the pickiest needs covered!
- Powdered Erythritol: Add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of powdered erythritol to the cream while heating.
- Allulose: Add 1/4 cup (60 ml) allulose to the cream before heating it. You’ll end up with a smooth, non-gritty sweetness.
- Monk Fruit: Mix in 10-20 drops of liquid monk fruit for a natural sweetness.
- Stevia: Add 1/4 teaspoon of pure stevia powder-or 10 drops of pure stevia extract-to the cream. Be careful not to overdo it, as stevia is usually 300 times sweeter than sugar.
- Pure Vanilla Powder: Use 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla powder (ground vanilla bean) for a mouth-watering, elegant flavor. Vanilla powder beats any vanilla extract, which always has some off-notes. If you are a real purist, omit the sweeteners and use only vanilla powder.
- Lemon Zest: Add the zest of one organic lemon (and maybe a few drops of pure lemon oil) to the cream as it heats for a refreshing citrus twist.
- Pumpkin Spice: You know me-no dessert recipe is complete without a pumpkin spice variation! Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of homemade pumpkin pie spice into the cream for a warm, autumnal flavor.
- Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of grated extra-dark chocolate on each serving after pouring the mixture into serving bowls. Gently mix with a spoon to distribute the chocolate-do not mix too vigorously, so the chocolate doesn’t melt into the hot mixture.
- Mocha Delight: Add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to the cream as it heats. Proceed with the recipe as usual. Right before serving, sprinkle some unsweetened cocoa powder on top of each serving.
- Red Wine Syrup: If you want to bring my original idea of keto yogurt panna cotta with sugar-free red wine syrup to life, this variation is for you! Sweeten the panna cotta with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of powdered erythritol or allulose. Once your panna cottas are chilled and set, prepare the red wine syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup (240 ml) of dry red wine (with or without alcohol) and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of allulose. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture reduces by half and thickens slightly. This takes about 10-15 minutes. Let the syrup cool completely. When ready to serve, drizzle the syrup over your panna cotta servings.
Feel free to mix and match these sweeteners and flavors to create your perfect keto yogurt panna cotta!
Considerations for Sweeteners and Flavorings
When adapting the panna cotta for a carnivore or keto diet, sweeteners like erythritol, allulose, monk fruit, and stevia can be used sparingly. However, it's crucial to monitor individual responses, as some people may experience digestive issues or other adverse effects from artificial sweeteners. Vanilla powder, lemon zest, pumpkin spice, and cocoa powder can be added in small amounts to enhance the flavor profile while minimizing carbohydrates.
Health and Wellness on a Carnivore Diet
This week was quite the rollercoaster! I started off working hard on tasks for my Finnish clean keto online store. Then came Wednesday, my son’s 14th birthday. He invited only his best friend, and they indulged in keto treats I made according to my son’s wishes, plus some organic homemade popcorn that I whip up once a year for his birthday. But alas, immediately after the birthday fun-and cleaning-I started feeling achy all over. The next night was pure agony, and I spent most of the following day in bed. I suppose I caught the flu. I blame my deviation from the strict carnivore diet-too much coffee and some sugar-free milk chocolate-and down I went for a day and a half. However, I bounced back quickly and was my energetic, healthy self after just a day and a half of misery.