Cucumber And Sake Granita Recipes

CUCUMBER AND SAKE GRANITA

Steps:

• In a blender, purée the sugar and 1/4 cup water on high for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides, let rest for a minute and then purée again for 30 seconds.
• Add the cucumbers, melon, lime juice, sake and a pinch of salt. Purée the mixture until smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large baking dish. Freeze the mixture. Scrape with a fork until light and fluffy, like fresh snow. Serve in small bowls or glasses, topped with a light sprinkle of sea salt and shiso leaf.

CUCUMBER-LIME GRANITA

Steps:

• Line shallow dish with parchment paper. In 2-quart saucepan, beat sugar and water with whisk until blended. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until mixture becomes a thin syrup. Cool.
• Remove most of peel from cucumbers. With spoon, scoop out seeds. Chop cucumber into cubes.
• In blender, place cucumbers, lime juice and syrup. Cover; blend until smooth. Pour into dish. Cover; freeze 2 to 3 hours or until completely frozen.
• Rake fork through mixture. Serve immediately, or return granita to freezer until ready to serve.

CUCUMBER GRANITA

Steps:

• Peel the cucumbers, cut them in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut the cucumbers into chunks.
• Puree the cucumbers in a blender (or use an immersion blender) with the lemon juice, onion, green pepper, salt, mint, oil and water. This makes about 2 1/2 cups puree.
• Pour the cucumber puree into two 9-inch metal cake pans. Freeze.
• To serve, remove the granita from freezer 5 minutes before serving. Use a fork to scrape the ice into mounds. Add the scraped ice to the gazpacho immediately before serving. Or use an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop to make small balls of granita to garnish cocktails, cold soup or just as a palate cleanser.