Panna Cotta is a classic Italian dessert that consists of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin and molded. It is creamy, velvety, and often served with a berry or caramel sauce.
Pour the milk into a bowl and sprinkle gelatin over it. Let it stand until the gelatin softens, about 5 minutes.
In a saucepan, combine cream, sugar, and vanilla bean. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the cream comes to a simmer.
Remove the vanilla bean from the cream mixture. Scrape the seeds from the bean into the cream, and add the pod back into the mixture.
Add the gelatin mixture to the hot cream mixture and stir until the gelatin completely dissolves.
Pour the mixture through a sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or undissolved gelatin.
Divide the cream mixture among serving dishes. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
To serve, top with fresh berries or drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.
