Strawberry Hibiscus Granita Recipes

FRESH STRAWBERRY GRANITA

Steps:

• Rinse strawberries with cold water; let drain. Transfer berries to a blender and add sugar, water, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and salt.
• Pulse several times to get the mixture moving, then blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a large baking dish. Puree should only be about 3/8 inch deep in the dish.
• Place dish uncovered in the freezer until mixture barely begins to freeze around the edges, about 45 minutes. Mixture will still be slushy in the center.
• Lightly stir the crystals from the edge of the granita mixture into the center, using a fork, and mix thoroughly. Close freezer and chill until granita is nearly frozen, 30 to 40 more minutes. Mix lightly with a fork as before, scraping the crystals loose. Repeat freezing and stirring with the fork 3 to 4 times until the granita is light, crystals are separate, and granita looks dry and fluffy.
• Portion granita into small serving bowls to serve.

STRAWBERRY BASIL GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool, the mixture should be the consistency of maple syrup.
• Combine the strawberries and basil in a food processor and puree. Add the sugar mixture and pulse the machine to combine. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish, cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze for about 2 hours.
• When the edges begin to harden, use the tines of a fork to scrape them into bits. Repeat the procedure in 1 to 2 hours, and then occasionally thereafter, until the mixture is frozen through in "shavings." Freeze overnight.
• Spoon the granita into serving dishes and garnish each with a basil leaf, then serve.

HEARTY TARTY HIBISCUS GRANITA

Steps:

• Heat water to a low boil. Add sugar and hibiscus flowers; stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain; discard hibiscus flowers. Add grapefruit juice and mint and mix well. Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours.
• Pour chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions. Add pomegranate seeds 5 minutes before the granita reaches the soft-serve stage.

STRAWBERRY GRANITA

Steps:

• To make the sugar syrup, combine 3/4 cup water and 4 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Place half the strawberries in a blender with the sugar syrup, lemon juice, and vodka, if using. Puree. Transfer to a fine mesh sieve and press on puree, pushing the pulp through. Discard seeds remaining in sieve.
• Pour mixture into a shallow 8-inch square pan. Freeze 2 to 3 hours, or until almost completely frozen. Scrape granita with a fork to make it flaky. Freeze for another hour and scrape again. When ready to serve, scrape again.
• About 30 minutes before serving, quarter remaining strawberries lengthwise and transfer to a bowl. Add remaining tablespoon sugar, pepper, and vinegar; mash slightly with a fork, keeping mixture chunky. Add basil.
• To serve, scrape some granita into 4 glasses and top with smashed strawberries.

FRESH STRAWBERRY GRANITA

Steps:

• Stir first 3 ingredients in small bowl until sugar dissolves. Blend 3 cups strawberries in processor until smooth. Add sugar syrup and blend until combined.
• Pour mixture into 13x9x2-inch nonstick metal baking pan. Freeze until icy around edges, about 25 minutes. Using fork, stir icy portions into middle of pan. Freeze until mixture is frozen, stirring edges into center every 20 to 30 minutes, about 1 1/2 hours. Using fork, scrape granita into flaky crystals. Cover tightly and freeze. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep frozen.) Scrape granita into bowls. Garnish with berries and serve.

STRAWBERRY-HIBISCUS GRANITA

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in hibiscus and basil sprig. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. Cover and chill hibiscus tea until cold, at least 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, blend quartered strawberries in a blender until finely puréed. Transfer to a large bowl; add tea, agave syrup, and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Season to taste, adding more agave and lime juice, if desired.
• Pour strawberry mixture into a 13x9x2" metal pan and freeze until top layer begins to harden, about 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape mixture to break frozen portions into tiny pieces. Freeze for 30 minutes; scrape again. Repeat until granita resembles fluffy shaved ice, about 4 hours.
• Divide among bowls. Garnish with basil leaves and diced strawberries.

HIBISCUS GRANITA

Steps:

• Pour the iced tea into ice cube trays and freeze overnight. (The recipe can be made up to this point and kept frozen up to 3 days in advance.)
• When ready to serve, turn the ice cubes into a food processor fitted with a metal blade or a powerful blender. Pulse the machine until the granita has the texture of crushed ice.

STRAWBERRY GRANITA

Steps:

• Place the strawberries in a bowl with the sugar and stir to coat the berries. Line another bowl with a double layer of cheesecloth and add the berries.
• Gather opposite corners of the cheesecloth and tie tightly. Repeat with the other two corners, leaving the knot open to slip in a wooden spoon handle. Propping the spoon across the top of a large bowl, suspend the berries. Refrigerate overnight.
• Squeeze as much juice as possible from the berries. Correct for sugar and stir in the salt. Reserve the pulp for jam.
• Pour the strawberry juice into a nonstick baking dish. Freeze for several hours. Use a spatula to cut and scrape the frozen juice into an ice the consistency of snow. Refreeze before serving. Place a few scoops of granita in a bowl and drizzle a few drops of the vinegar over it. Serve.