Simple Dessert: Granita

Granita is a flavored ice dessert that is super simple to make. It was (and still is) my go-to recipe in the summer months when you want a sweet treat, but are out of ice cream.

The ingredients can vary slightly, but the base ingredients include water and sugar. (simple enough.) To that you can add whatever flavor you like. I like to make it with whatever fresh produce is in season (and on sale) — or whatever I can harvest from my garden.

Lemon Granita

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2-3 large lemons

Preparation:

1. Zest the lemons. You can do this with a zester or a vegetable peeler.
2. Squeeze 1/2 cup juice from the lemons.
3. In a small saucepan, heat water and sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
4. Add lemon zest and transfer to a bowl to cool.
5. Cover and chill syrup until cold
6. Remove larger lemon zest pieces.
7. Stir in lemon juice.
8. Pour the granita mixture into a 9x13x2 casserole dish and place in freezer.
9. Freeze for 25-30 minutes until edges begin to solidify.
10. With a fork, stir the granita mixture and place back in freezer.
11. Do this every 20-30 minutes.
12. After about an hour to an hour and a half, the mixture should be frozen. It should be somewhat slushy. If it isn't quite froze, keep it in the freezer, stirring every 30 minutes, until it is.
13. Serve in bowls or glasses.

Strawberry Granita

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups sliced, hulled strawberries (about 1 pound)

Preparation:

1. In a small bowl or pot, stir water, sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves
2. In a food processor or blender, blend the strawberries until smooth (you may need to add a little water to ensure the berries get fully blended)
3. Add sugar syrup to blender and blend until combined.
4. Pour mixture into a 9x13x2 inch casserole dish or into a high-rimmed baking sheet. Make sure the pan can fit easily into your freezer.
5. Keep in freezer until the mixture begins to freeze around the edges (25-30 minutes). 
6. Using a fork, you'll stir the mixture every 25-30 minutes.
7. After about an hour and a half, the mixture should be frozen, but with a flaky (ice crystal) texture.
8. Cover and keep in the freezer until ready to serve.
9. When ready to serve, scrape the Granita into bowls or glasses.
10. If you want to get extra fancy, you can garnish with fruit or mint leaves.

Coffee Granita

Ingredients:

• 2 cups hot, strong brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Preparation:

1. Mix coffee and sugar together until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add vanilla and stir.
3. Pour into 9x13x2 casserole dish and place in freezer for 25-30 minutes until edges begin to freeze.
4. With a fork, stir the mixture. Do this every 20-30 minutes until the mixture is frozen, but fluffy.
5. Serve with a sprinkling of cinnamon, or a dollop of whipped cream.