There’s something about using herbs like thyme and rosemary in sweet desserts which I always think feels really sophisticated. Getting the right balance is essential as an overpowering flavour such as rosemary, while forgivable with lamb, will not be so delicious if overused in a dessert. It goes so well with the sweet, juicy plump apricots here and I created this recipe after being inspired by an apricot bar by a company called Baked. However, this recipe is more suitable for a after dinner dessert!
Serves about 5
Apricot Jam
- 200g dried apricots
- 350ml water
- 100g caster sugar
- 60g honey
- ½ vanilla pod, seeds scraped
- Combine the ingredients in a pan including the vanilla pod once the seeds have been removed.
- Simmer gently for about 40-45 minutes until the apricots are plump and soft. Remove the vanilla pod and discard
- Puree in a processor until you form a thick sticky jam. Store in a jar int he fridge and use for the pannacotta recipe or one croissants and toast!
Pannacotta
- 250ml double cream
- 250ml whole milk
- ½ vanilla pod, seeds scraped
- 50g caster sugar
- Splash vanilla extract (optional)
- 2 ½ gelatine leaves
- Aprioct jam
- Combine the cream, milk, sugar and vanilla in a pan and gently heat to dissolve the sugar.
- Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water until soft.
- Get ready 5 ramekins, wine glasses, shot glasses or tumblers or whatever you want to serve your pannacotta in. Fill the base with a thin layer of apricot puree and smooth out evenly. There will be more jam than needed but add as much as you like.
- Just before the cream mix begins to bubble, remove from the heat, and remove the vanilla pod. Squeeze out any excess water from the gelatine leaves and whisk into the hot cream.
- Begin gentle, pour over a generous layer of the cream mixture onto your apricot puree. Leave to cool before leaving to set in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
Serve with the rosemary biscuits and topped with some cinnamon sugared almond flakes if you like!
Rosemary Shortbread
- 125g butter
- 175g flour
- 50g caster sugar
- ½- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Rub the flour butter and sugar together or combine in a food processor until you just begin to get a dough
- Add the rosemary and continue to mix to form a dough.
- Cut into biscuits shapes and bake on a lined baking tray for about 10 minutes (depending on size) until just turning the palest of gold and they are still soft. Watch them carefully as they cook quickly.
- Leave to cool before removing from the tray.
