Smooth, silky, with just the right touch of sweetness, the creamy Italian favorite has long been a staple on European menus. As with most food origin stories, there's some debate about its history; the first mention of it in print can be traced all the way back to 1879, when a dictionary first referred to it as "latte inglese," or English milk. Though it wasn't originally called panna cotta, the recipe was the same: Cream, sugar, and gelatin.
Panna cotta is very user-friendly, and requires enough gelatin and chill time to ensure a proper set. Following the recipe and allowing plenty of time to chill before serving should make it easy.