• Fill a large bowl with ice and water, and set aside.
• Place 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over water, and let soften for 10 minutes.
• Place heavy cream and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.

  Add gelatin mixture, and stir until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to 1-quart measuring cup.
• Place measuring cup in the ice bath, and whisk cream mixture until cool, 6 to 7 minutes.

  Add vanilla extract; add Grand Marnier, if desired. Pour mixture into six 6-ounce ramekins or glasses.

  Chill until set, about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

For the caramel sauce: (note: this sauce doesn't have heavy cream of butter, because this is more of a thin flan style caramel sauce)

• Note: Be sure to have all of your ingredients ready before First, before you begin, make sure you have everything ready to go - the water and the alcohol (if using) next to the pan, ready to put in.

  Making caramel is a fast process that cannot wait for hunting around for ingredients. If you don't work fast, the sugar will burn. Safety first - make sure there are no children under foot and you may want to wear oven mitts; the caramelized sugar will be much hotter than boiling water.
• In a light colored heavy skillet or pot, and place over medium-high heat, spread the sugar evenly.
• As the sugar begins to melt, stir vigorously with a whisk or wooden spoon. As soon as the sugar comes to a boil, stop stirring. You can swirl the pan a bit if you want, from this point on. Note that this recipe works best if you are using a thick-bottomed pan.
• The sugar should turn to a dark amber--about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Very carefully, stir in 1/2 cup warm water (I used 1/4 cup water and 3 Tbsp. of Grand Marnier). It will bubble, but don't panic! Stir until combined, and remove from heat to cool to room temperature.

Bruleed figs:

• Cut the figs in half lengthwise. Lay them skin-side down on a flameproof surface, such as a cookie sheet.
• Find a safe place to use your torch. Put a good mound of sugar on the cut surface of each fig, completely covering it. Use more than you think you would need because the blowtorch will blow some of it off.
• Turn on your torch and, working quickly, move back and forth over each fig turning the sugar into a melting dark brown syrup which will rapidly turn to "glass" when you remove the torch.
• You will want to experiment a bit to find the optimal distance to hold the flame. Remember that hot caramel will give you a nasty burn, so transfer them carefully to serving plates, and drizzle on some excellent balsamic vinegar (if desired).

Assembly:

• To unmold panna cotta, dip ramekins in warm water. Run a paring knife around edges of panna cotta to break seal, and invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate. Dessert will slowly slide out.
• Garnish with figs and caramel. Serve.