Saffron and cardamom panna cotta

The spices accentuate the rich flavors of the milk, cream, (and pistachios if you like them) and freshly grated stick cinnamon pulls the whole thing together with a heady top note of flavor and perfume. serves 6 3 1/4 cups heavy cream, 1/3 cup sugar, pinch of salt, 5 cardamom pods, slightly rounded 1/8 teaspoon crushed saffron threads, 1 cup whole milk, 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin, 1 cinnamon stick, Finely chopped or grated pistachios for garnish (optional). Equipment: Instant-read thermometer, Six 6-ounce ramekins or desert dishes. In a small saucepan, heat the cream, sugar, and salt until steaming hot, stirring from time to time to disolve the sugar. Off the heat, add the cardamom pods and saffron. Cover and allow to steep for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the milk into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Set aside (without stirring) for 5 to 10 minutes to let the gelatin soften. Add the milk and gelatin to the cream mixture and reheat to steaming, stirring well to dissolve the gelatin. Strain the mixture into a bowl, preferably stainless steel; discard the cardamom pods. Set the bowl in a larger bowl of water and ice cubes and stir frequently until the mixture thickens and registers 50 F on the instant-read thermometer. Divide the mixture evenly among the ramekins or dessert dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 but perferably 12 hours. Serve the individual panna cottas in their ramekins or dishes. Use a Microplane zester to grate a little stick cinnamon over each one. Sprinkle with chopped or grated pistachios, if disired.