Gluten Free Dairy Free Coconut Mango Panna Cotta Recipe
Updated Feb 12, 2020, Published Mar 07, 2013
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As my formative years were spent in Philippines, I think I was pre-disposed to love mangos and silken smooth desserts. This Gluten Free Dairy Free Coconut Mango Panna Cotta recipe is a luscious yet light combination of the both. While it is the perfect treat for a hot summer’s evening, it is also quite refreshing after a heavy, long simmered stew on a chilly winter night. In fact it brings a bit of brightness into a dreary, dismal day.
Typically a panna cotta is unmolded and you should feel free to do so if you prefer but I think it looks so pretty served in a little dish with a couple mango slices shooting out the top and just a small sprinkle of toasted coconut for crunch and color. Ok, maybe I am just lazy but I am going with the “I think it looks so pretty” story and sticking with it!
This recipe originally debuted in my Simply Gluten Free Desserts Cookbook but I have since given it a refined sugar-free make over thanks to Wholesome Sweeteners coconut palm sugar – the coconut sugar compliments the flavors here so nicely I actually prefer it to regular sugar.
Look for mangos with smooth skin that are full, plump, and round – especially at the stem end. Thin, flat mangos are likely to be stringy. A ripe mango will be slightly soft to the touch just like avocados and peaches, but not soft or mushy. Give your mangos a sniff by the stem, a ripe mango will have a strong, sweet, fragrant and fruity aroma, mangos that smell sour or like alcohol will be overripe. Unless you need to use the mangos right away, you can buy them a little on the firm side and let them ripen at room temperature, just like an avocado.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Coconut Mango Panna Cotta Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 medium mangos – use divided
- Honey or agave nectar - optional
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can full fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup Wholesome Sweeteners coconut palm sugar
- 1/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- If you plan to unmold the panna cottas spray six 6-ounce ramekins lightly with non-stick cooking spray. If you are not going to serve the panna cotta unmolded, skip this step.
- Cut the mangos as close to the large seed in the middle as possible so that you have two cheeks per mango. Remove the skin and slice one of the mangos into 12 slivers, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until serving. Cut the flesh from the other two mangos into chunks and puree in the blender until very smooth. Taste the puree and if it is not sweet enough for you, add a small squeeze of honey or agave nectar being careful not to overpower the flavor of the mango. Push the mango puree through a fine strainer to remove any of the fibrous strands.
- Put the water in a small microwavable bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Let set for 5 minutes. Microwave the gelatin for 10 seconds on high power to melt.
- Put the coconut milk and coconut palm sugar in a small sauce pan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Heat just to the boiling point. Whisk the gelatin mixture into the coconut milk well then whisk in the mango puree. Divide the mixture evenly between the ramekins, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 4 or 5 hours. Can be prepared a day ahead.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spread a layer of the coconut on a sheet pan and bake for 10 - 15 minutes, stirring a few times. Watch the coconut carefully as it can go from toasted to burnt in a matter of seconds. Let cool completely.
To Serve:
- If unmolding the panna cotta, run a sharp knife around the edges of the ramekins and place a small serving plate on top. Flip the plate and ramekin over and the panna cotta should slip out of the ramekin onto the plate. If it does not then take a hot towel and place it on the ramekin for a few seconds. Serve with reserved mango slices and toasted coconut.
- If you choose not to unmold the panna cotta then simply stick a couple mango spears into the top and sprinkle on a little toasted coconut.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Can you use frozen mang? If so, how much?
And what other fruits would you suggest?
And how much?
Jenny, Yes I suppose you can, I’ve never tried it. It would be about 4 cups, thawed. You could try using meaty fruits like papaya and maybe berries. Let me know if you do, I’m curious how it works!
xo,
Carol