Watermelon Granita Recipe
Description: Delight in the refreshing taste of this Watermelon Granita, a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. With its vibrant colors and irresistible flavor, it’s sure to become a favorite amongst family and friends. 🍉
Recipe Category: Melons
Keywords: Fruit, European, Low Protein, Low Cholesterol, Healthy, Kid Friendly, Weeknight, No Cook, < 4 Hours, Easy
Aggregated Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
Review Count: 2 reviews
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 269.4
- Fat Content: 0.4g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 3.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 69.3g
- Fiber Content: 1.9g
- Sugar Content: 65g
- Protein Content: 1.6g
Servings: 4
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3/4 | Watermelon |
| 1 | Orange |
| 1 | Lemon |
| 1/2 | Water |
| 1 | Sugar |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Watermelon:
- Cut the watermelon into chunks and remove any seeds.
- Place the watermelon flesh in a blender or liquidizer and blend until smooth.
-
Strain the Watermelon Puree:
- Pass the blended watermelon through a fine mesh sieve to remove any pulp. This will result in a smooth and silky texture.
-
Make the Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water to make a simple syrup.
- Stir over low heat until the sugar completely dissolves.
-
Infuse with Citrus Flavor:
- Zest the orange and lemon, then add some of the zest to the syrup for a burst of citrus flavor.
- Allow the syrup to simmer gently for 5-8 minutes to infuse the flavors.
-
Cool the Syrup:
- Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. This step ensures that the syrup is fully infused with the citrus essence.
-
Combine the Syrup and Watermelon Puree:
- Once the syrup has cooled, strain it to remove the zest, then add it to the watermelon puree.
- Stir the mixture well to combine, ensuring that the flavors are evenly distributed.
-
Freeze the Mixture:
- Pour the combined mixture into a shallow baking dish or tray.
- Place the dish in the freezer and let it freeze for about 20 minutes, or until the edges start to set.
-
Break and Stir:
- After 20 minutes, remove the dish from the freezer and use a fork to break up any ice crystals that have formed.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly to distribute the ice crystals evenly.
-
Repeat Freezing and Stirring:
- Return the dish to the freezer and let it freeze for another 20 minutes.
- Remove the dish, stir the mixture again, breaking up any large ice crystals, and return it to the freezer.
- Repeat this process every 20 minutes until the entire mixture is frozen into small, uniform crystals. This gradual freezing process ensures a light and fluffy texture.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the granita is fully frozen, it’s ready to serve.
- Spoon the granita into individual serving dishes or glasses.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh mint leaves or a slice of orange, and accompanied by almond biscuits for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
Tips:
- For a variation, try adding a splash of vodka or tequila to the syrup mixture before freezing for a refreshing adult twist.
- Experiment with different citrus fruits, such as lime or grapefruit, to customize the flavor profile of your granita.
- Store any leftover granita in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a week. Simply let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften slightly.
- This recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less sugar according to your preference.
