Tart, candy, and icy, this frozen Italian lime granita is the right summer season deal with! Make it within the freezer or ice cream maker with simply 3 elements.
Rising up in Toronto, summer season meant discovering methods to chill down and a citrusy frozen deal with was at all times my favourite. This lime granita is good, tart, and extremely refreshing, simply the factor for a scorching afternoon.
Now that I reside in Italy, I nonetheless flip to easy frozen desserts like this basic granita, my lemon sorbet drink, or frozen lemonade when the temperatures rise.
I really like this lime variation that you may make two methods, both as a no-churn freezer model with that conventional flaky texture or utilizing an ice cream maker for a smoother end. It’s a straightforward lime dessert that’s good for summer season.
Why You’ll Love This Basic Italian Frozen Dessert
Granita is a frozen Italian dessert you eat with a spoon, and it initially comes from Sicily. Made out of simply water, sugar, and recent juice, it’s a easy recipe with a light-weight, icy texture, like an grownup model of Italian shaved ice or selfmade Italian ice.
What makes granita so particular is the best way it freezes: as a substitute of churning like sorbet, it’s stirred usually because it chills, creating delicate ice crystals that flip it right into a flaky frozen deal with. Lemon is essentially the most conventional taste, however this lime granita model has a vivid tangy taste!
Ingredient Notes
Notice: The elements are the identical for each the freezer and ice cream maker strategies, simply the method modifications. I like to make each each summer season!
- Contemporary lime juice: For the very best taste, use freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled juice can work in a pinch, however recent actually makes a distinction right here.
- Lime zest: Provides an additional burst of citrus aroma. Be sure you zest earlier than juicing your limes.
- Sugar: Common granulated sugar dissolves simply to type the straightforward syrup that offers the granita its texture and balanced sweetness.
- Water: Simply sufficient to assist dissolve the sugar and carry the lime taste by way of each chew.
The best way to Make Lime Granita (Two Straightforward Strategies)
Whether or not you employ the freezer or an ice cream maker, each strategies begin the identical method—with a easy syrup and recent lime juice. This refreshing summer season dessert is all about texture!
Methodology 1: Freezer Granita
This technique ends in the normal Sicilian technique.
- Begin by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bringing it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, then set it apart to chill fully. As soon as the syrup has cooled, stir within the strained lime juice and zest.
- Pour the combination right into a shallow freezer-safe container and place it within the freezer. After about an hour, take it out and use a fork to scrape and break up the ice.
- Return it to the freezer and repeat the scraping, about 3 or 4 instances, till it’s gentle and slushy. Serve instantly.
Methodology 2: Ice Cream Maker Granita
This technique is just a little faster and ends in a smoother, extra compact texture, good in order for you a barely extra sorbet-like consistency.
- Make the syrup and blend within the lime juice and zest simply as you’ll for the freezer technique.
- Then pour the combination into your ice cream maker and churn in line with the producer’s directions till it corporations up. Serve immediately or freeze briefly to agency it up much more.
granita making suggestions
- Zest earlier than you juice your limes—it’s a lot simpler that method!
- Cool the syrup fully earlier than including the lime juice and zest. This retains the flavour recent and vivid.
- Scrape with a fork, not a spoon if utilizing the normal freezer technique. It helps create these signature icy flakes within the lime granita.
- Style the combination earlier than freezing, you’ll be able to regulate the sugar in case your limes are particularly tart.
- Serve instantly in a glass or bowl with a spoon, it melts shortly in the summertime warmth!
Recipe Variations
- Attempt different flavors: Granita can be made with fruit like berries, melon, and even espresso for one more Italian variation.
- Citrus swap: Attempt utilizing lemon, orange, or a mixture of citrus juices for a distinct taste.
- Add a natural be aware: A little bit of chopped mint or basil stirred in earlier than freezing the lime granita provides a recent twist.
- Make it grown-up: Add a splash of limoncello, rum, or vodka to the combination earlier than freezing for an grownup model.
Extra Frozen Dessert Recipes
If you’re feeling the warmth this summer season I hope this Granita will assist you to calm down. Take pleasure in!
FREEZER GRANITA
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup lime juice (strained)
- zest 1 lime
ICE CREAM MAKER GRANITA
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup lime juice
- zest 1 lime
FREEZER GRANITA
-
In a small pot on medium excessive warmth mix the sugar and water, convey to a boil, then decrease warmth and simmer for five minutes. Let cool fully.
-
When the syrup has cooled had the strained lime juice and zest, whisk to mix. Pour right into a freezer secure bowl. Place within the freezer for roughly 1 hour (could also be roughly time relying in your freezer).
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Take away bowl from the freezer and with a fork break up the ice and blend to mix. Repeat 3-4 instances or till the combination is slushy. Serve in a tall glass with a spoon.
ICE CREAM MAKER GRANITA
-
Observe the identical steps for the freezer technique, however as a substitute of pouring right into a bowl pour into the ice cream maker and churn in line with producer’s instructions, 25-Half-hour or till combination turns into compact and creamy. Take pleasure in!
Energy: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 53mg | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 13.6mg | Calcium: 9mg
Recipe FAQs
Search for limes that really feel heavy for his or her dimension and have a easy, skinny pores and skin. This normally means they’re juicy and ripe.
Roll the lime on the counter together with your palm earlier than chopping, or microwave it for 10–15 seconds to assist launch extra juice.
Granita is often served in a glass or small bowl with a spoon. However in Sicily, it’s usually loved at breakfast with a gentle brioche roll, both dipped into the granita or used to scoop it up. It would sound uncommon, however on a scorching southern Italian morning, it simply works!
It additionally makes a beautiful palate cleanser between programs or a light-weight option to finish a meal.
Hold any leftovers in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 days. It’s a fantastic make-ahead frozen dessert that shops effectively within the freezer for just a few days—simply fluff it with a fork earlier than serving.
Up to date from July 27, 2018.
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