Coffee, Coconut and Chocolate Panna Cotta

 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas 

(or A Visit from St. Nicholas)

by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

gave the lustre of midday to objects below,

when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!

Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid!

On, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch!

To the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away!

Dash away all!" 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky

so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Wishing you a very happy Christmas, filled with all the people and things that you love. Jen x

Coffee, Coconut and Chocolate Panna Cotta
adapted from Donna Hay
Makes 6

2 teaspoons powdered gelatine
2 espresso shots (80ml), at room temperature
1 teaspoon coconut essence
500ml cream
55g brown sugar
100g milk chocolate, chopped
Chocolate wafers to serve

Add the coconut essence to the coffee.

Place the gelatine and half the coffee in a bowl and set aside for 5 minutes or until the gelatine is absorbed.

Place the cream, sugar and chocolate on a saucepan over medium heat and stor for 4-6 minutes or until the chocolate is melted  Remove from the heat, add the gelatine mixture and the remaining coffee and stir well to combine.

Pour the mixture into 6 x 125ml capacity lightly greased moulds or ramekins.

Refrigerate for 4 hours or until set.

To unmould, run a butter knife around the rim of the panna cotta. Dip the base and halfway up the sides of the ramekin into some boiled water for a few seconds, then tip it onto a plate. Serve with Chocolate wafers.