Many recipes recommend dipping the ramekins in hot water to help release the panna cotta, but we found this method ineffective. The walls of the ramekins are too thick to transfer enough heat to loosen the dessert. Here’s a better way.
Run a paring knife around the inside edge of the ramekin to loosen the panna cotta, pressing the blade of the knife as close to the side of the ramekin as possible.
Cover the ramekin with a serving plate and invert the panna cotta onto the plate, jiggling the ramekin if necessary. (Make sure that the serving plates are cool before unmolding the panna cotta onto them.)