Butter milk panna cotta with strawberry sauce

Active time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25minutes plus chilling
Makes: 8 servings

½ tbsp gelatin
¼ cup plus 2tbsp water
2 3/4 cup buttermilk
½ cup plus 4 tsp sugar
250gm strawberries
1tsp fresh lemon juice

1. In cup, evenly sprinkle gelatin over ¼ cup water. Let stand 2 minutes.
2. In a pan, heat1/2 cup buttermilk and ½ cup sugar on medium 2-3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat; whisk in gelatin. Cook 1-2 minutes or till gelatin dissolves, stirring. Remove from heat; stir in 21/4 cups buttermilk.
3. Pour butter mixture into eight ramekins (small bowls for baking)_or custard cups. Place ramekins in a baking pan. Cover pan with plastic wrap, and refrigerated panna cotta at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Reserve1/3 cup strawberries, halved, for garnish. Puree remaining strawberries with lemon juice, 2 tsp 2water, and 4 tsp sugar. Pour through sieve set over bowl.
5. To unmold panna cotta, run tip of knife around edge of each ramekin. With hand, sharply tap side; invert onto 8 dessert plates. Spoon sauce around each and garnish with berries

Each serving: about 115 calories, 4gm protein, 24gm carbs, 1gm saturated total fat, 1gm fibre, 3mg cholesterol, 90mg sodium

Be body beautiful

Drinking water is a must but in the summer it’s vital to keep your body functioning properly and your skin well-hydrated. Remember, there’s water in fresh veggie juices, iced tea and your endless cups of organic tea too…
1. For your body, exfoliators are great for smooth summer skin, but make sure you’re not using a salt-based one-it’s too drying. Use creamy formulations. Switch to a cool mint-based natural soap or body wash and use a loofah everyday, to rid your skin of dead skin cells and cellulite but take care that the soap is not too drying.
2. A body lotion is a must-switch to a lighter one in the summer.
3. For drier areas such as knees and ankles, massaging with lemon juice mixed with baby oil or baking soda, may help smoothen them; just make sure you moisturize afterwards. Chapped skin often means your body isn’t getting enough vitamin C, so up your fruit and veggie intake.
4. To tackle cellulite, you should massage problem areas in circular movements’ every day. You can even try coffee grounds mixed with lotion. Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and eat your fruits and vegetables-the antioxidants will make your skin glow. Swap salty and processed foods for fish and spices to up your metabolism and blood circulation.
5. Get that hair off your body! Body hair is hidden under swathes of woolens in winter but is unslightly in summer.