This dessert is a play on textures and looks. A creamy panna cotta paired with a crunchy crumble and fresh fruit. But why looks? If you hadn't read the title and I asked you "what did I put the white chocolate in" you would've said the panna cotta. But of course, I did not.

Who new white chocolate would look like this? When you melt white chocolate and take it a little further, it caramelizes and attains this nutty, bitter-sweet flavour that pairs great in desserts. White chocolate is already really sweet, so this is like the go-to route. I don't know why, but the addition of black sesame in desserts sounds kind of "royal" to me. And when a found out that the grocery store across the street stocks that stuff, I immediately had to run and get it!

This dessert basically has 2 components: the panna cotta and the crumble. The crumble is basically melting chocolate, so to the core, one. For me, the characteristic of a perfect panna cotta is that it jiggles when you touch it- an indication that you have the perfect amount of gelatine in it, which is absolutely key.

The panna cotta is rich and decadent, the crumble is slightly bitter and nutty and the the citrus adds a zing to the dish. 

An Italian classic. Panna Cotta.

Panna cotta:

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 7g gelatine
• 4 tbsp. cold water
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine the milk and sugar until there are no lumps. Heat the milk on a low flame until it becomes hot. While the milk is heating, hydrate the gelatine with the water. Once the milk is hot, whisk in the gelatine and remove from heat. Add the cream and vanilla and mix until combined. Pour into 6 ramekins/ sphere moulds. Allow to set completely (2-4 hours).

Caramelized white chocolate crumble:

• 200 g white chocolate
• 1 tbsp. coffee powder
• 2 tbsp. black sesame

Chop the chocolate into small chunks. Spread it out into a heat proof pan and place into a preheated oven at 160C until caramelized, stirring occasionally. Cool completely before breaking into smaller pieces. Add the coffee powder along with toasted sesame seeds, crushing into small granules.

Plating:

• Orange wedges
• Fresh mint

Unmould the panna cotta onto a plate. Add the white chocolate crumble and garnish with orange wedges and mint.

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