Panna cotta: A thing that makes you go "Mmmm"

I haven't posted in some time since I haven't really had many goodies lately. AND I have been busy spending time with my wonderful new fiance, Karl! But a week ago I spotted a citrus colored truck parked in the hood and I knew there had to

be some dessert in there somewhere.

The Schnitzel and Things truck primarily peddles schnitzel (no surprise there). But the creamy panna cotta dessert falls under the category of "Things" on the truck's menu.

Up until last week, I honestly never really knew what panna cotta really was. I heard the word but never really investigated

what it truly meant. Once I finally tried it myself, I began to encounter the sweet stuff everywhere from cookbooks to a cafe in the Lower East Side. It reminded me of when I first learned the definition for the word "immigration" in my Weekly Reader in first grade. It seemed that I have never heard the term before. But once I learned it's meaning, I heard it used left and right.

It turns out that panna cotta is an Italian dessert which can literally be translated as "cooked cream". This dish consists of sugar, cream and milk which is boiled and placed in a mold then cooled to create a mini cylinder of sweetness.

When I took a first glimpse at my dessert-to-be at the truck, I saw the gelatinous pool of cream glaring at me, like a giant cyclops eye void of any pupil. I tried to look beyond the fact that it was set in a mini metal pie tin, similar to those they would serve pot pies in during school lunches in junior high. Despite its stark appearance, I was ready to take it on. It was a bit too chilly to enjoy at the counter there in the presence of the gruff truck attendant grumbling in his Brooklyn accent. So I headed home to enjoy it in a cozy spot.

I dove in with my plastic spoon to find a deliciously unique flavor of (natural tasting) vanilla. It must be natural, I thought, since I could see the black bits of vanilla bean. The texture was a bit gelatinous but still yogurt-like. I suppose to would liken panna cotta to an Italian version of flan. Although, it can come in many flavors (such as blueberry or caramel), this one was Tahitian vanilla. Add to that, the fact that it was sold from a truck specializing in an Austrian dish. I felt as though I was partaking in a UN of yumminess.

It was a refreshing treat but a bit too rich for me to finish solo. As always, I believe goodies can excel from good to great when they are shared with a loved one. So I handed the remaining contents to my curious cat. From the way she licked the shimmering tin clean, I could tell she mightily approved.

Panna cotta might not one of those things C & C Music Factory intended to make you go "Mmm". But it certainly does have that effect (on people and felines alike).

Jump on the schnitzel wagon and see when it will be in your nabe! http://schnitzelandthings.com/

Sweets in the City: One Smart Cookie

It's almost my fifth year living in New York City and I have seen quite a bit of sugar in this town. I can't say that I am a connoisseur, but I have learned a few things about sweets. One thing I learned for sure is to never buy cheesecake from a bodega (especially a 24 hour one). Ultimately, I realized there are quite a few places out there besides Magnolia Bakery where you can enjoy great goodies among friends.

I wasn't really sure where I should first go to write my first blog. A funky frogurt shop in the Lower East Side? A fancy French patisserie where I need to motion to communicate exactly what I am looking for? But fortunately, before I had to decide, I was invited by a new friend to One Girl Cookies in "oh-so-cute-I-could-pinch-it's-cheeks-if-it-had-them" Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

I emerged from the subway and walked past the hip boutiques and diverse selection of restaurants. As I rounded the corner my eye spotted a large sign tempting me only with the word "Cookies" and I knew I was in the right place. The light-filled bakery area is painted with delicate pastel colors and light wood for a refreshing look. The bakery case was studded with tiny macaroon cookies with hush pink and powder blue colors matching the decor. There were also petite cupcakes with spiky frosting, peeking their points above the case like Bart Simpson's head. An intricately decorated apricot jam cake proudly stood on a cake stand showing off its handmade filling. This was a difficult choice.

Finally, I chose the chocolate whoopie pie. It was a reasonable size, about the size of a squished golf ball. That way, I didn't have to spoil dinner with my boo later. The soft cookies were moist like cake and must have had quite a bit of cocoa to make it so chocolaty. Snuggly squeezed between the cookies was a nice helping of cream cheese frosting to complete the delicious sweet combination.

My whoopie pie was polished off quickly, as was Carissa's spiky cupcake. Our third desserteir, Karla, bought macraroons to go. But we stayed long after the crumbs were gone, chatting over cups of hand-bagged tea. The seating area, basically a garage door with windows, served as a perfect spot for people watching. One Girl Cookie certainly exemplifies the mission of it's creator, Dawn, who believes that cookies should have "simplicity and charm". This smart cookie has created the ideal sweet spot for three girls to

enjoy.