Tart, candy, and icy, this frozen Italian lime granita is the proper summer time deal with! Make it within the freezer or ice cream maker with simply 3 elements.
Rising up in Toronto, summer time meant discovering methods to chill down and a citrusy frozen deal with was all the time my favourite. This lime granita is good, tart, and extremely refreshing, simply the factor for a sizzling 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 like this lime variation which you could 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 time.
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. Created from simply water, sugar, and contemporary juice, it’s a easy recipe with a lightweight, icy texture, like an grownup model of Italian shaved ice or home made Italian ice.
What makes granita so particular is the best way it freezes: as an alternative of churning like sorbet, it’s stirred typically 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 vibrant tangy taste!
Ingredient Notes
Be aware: The elements are the identical for each the freezer and ice cream maker strategies, simply the method adjustments. I like to make each each summer time!
- Contemporary lime juice: For the perfect taste, use freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled juice can work in a pinch, however contemporary actually makes a distinction right here.
- Lime zest: Provides an additional burst of citrus aroma. Make sure you zest earlier than juicing your limes.
- Sugar: Common granulated sugar dissolves simply to type the straightforward syrup that provides 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 Simple Strategies)
Whether or not you utilize the freezer or an ice cream maker, each strategies begin the identical means—with a easy syrup and contemporary lime juice. This refreshing summer time dessert is all about texture!
Technique 1: Freezer Granita
This technique leads to 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 mild and slushy. Serve instantly.
Technique 2: Ice Cream Maker Granita
This technique is somewhat faster and leads to a smoother, extra compact texture, good if you’d like a barely extra sorbet-like consistency.
- Make the syrup and blend within the lime juice and zest simply as you’d for the freezer technique.
- Then pour the combination into your ice cream maker and churn in keeping with the producer’s directions till it companies up. Serve straight away or freeze briefly to agency it up much more.
granita making ideas
- Zest earlier than you juice your limes—it’s a lot simpler that means!
- Cool the syrup fully earlier than including the lime juice and zest. This retains the flavour contemporary and vibrant.
- 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 modify the sugar in case your limes are particularly tart.
- Serve instantly in a glass or bowl with a spoon, it melts rapidly in the summertime warmth!
Recipe Variations
- Attempt different flavors: Granita will also 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 notice: A little bit of chopped mint or basil stirred in earlier than freezing the lime granita provides a contemporary 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
In case you are feeling the warmth this summer time I hope this Granita will assist you to calm down. Get pleasure from!
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, carry 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 protected bowl. Place within the freezer for roughly 1 hour (could also be kind of 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 an alternative of pouring right into a bowl pour into the ice cream maker and churn in keeping with producer’s instructions, 25-Half-hour or till combination turns into compact and creamy. Get pleasure from!
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 clean, skinny pores and skin. This normally means they’re juicy and ripe.
Roll the lime on the counter along with your palm earlier than reducing, 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 typically loved at breakfast with a gentle brioche roll, both dipped into the granita or used to scoop it up. It’d sound uncommon, however on a sizzling southern Italian morning, it simply works!
It additionally makes a beautiful palate cleanser between programs or a lightweight technique to finish a meal.
Hold any leftovers in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 days. It’s an important make-ahead frozen dessert that shops properly within the freezer for a couple of days—simply fluff it with a fork earlier than serving.
Up to date from July 27, 2018.
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