Panna Cotta With Vanilla Syrup

Place six 3 1/2-ounce ramekins (3 inches in diameter, 1 1/2 inches deep) on a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate until cold. Put 3 tablespoons cool water into a medium bowl. Sprinkle with gelatin; let stand until gelatin has softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir together cream and sugar in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar, until bubbles form at edges, about 2 minutes. Pour cream mixture into bowl with gelatin; whisk until gelatin has dissolved. Stir in milk.

Pour through a sieve into a bowl. Pour cream mixture into chilled ramekins. Refrigerate on baking sheet until set, about 2 hours.

Stir together sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, and 1 1/2 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until mixture has reduced to about 1/2 cup and has the consistency of a thin syrup, 25 to 30 minutes.

Pour through a sieve into a small bowl. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in Marsala, and set aside until ready to use.

To serve, dip one ramekin in a bowl of hot water for 20 seconds; make sure water does not reach the rim. Invert panna cotta onto a dessert plate, gently shaking and tapping ramekin to unmold. Repeat to ummold the remaining ramekins. Drizzle each panna cotta with vanilla syrup, and serve.