Blood Orange-Rosemary Granita

 

 

  As many Sundays as we can get around to it, Chris & I like to walk with Lana to our local farmers market. It's one of my favorite things to do as a family. Get a little lunch, and peruse all the local farmers fresh produce & goodies.

 

  The second I spotted the big bunches of blood oranges staring back at me from the shady farm stand, I was sold! (as usual...I just can't resist blood oranges or meyer lemons, EVER!) But the second I got home I started thinking...what the heck am I going to make with all these?? First thought- GRANTIA! On those days when all we want is something cool & refreshing, granitas are one of my favorite treats! I love that icy, fresh fruit, sweet, melt in your mouth taste. And they are so easy to make, you don't need any fancy machinery or much of a culinary skill level to prepare it. Not only that, but a scoop or two into a glass of champagne or prosecco is AMAZING!! I've served a great cranberry-lime granita in champagne for my last Christmas Cocktail Party and it was a HUGE hit.

 

  I wanted to mix things up a bit and infuse a little fresh herb into the granita. The only herb I had at the time was rosemary....PERFECT! But don't add too much of it can taste too much like pine & a little medicinal tasting. That's not exactly what you want in a sweet treat. ;) It would also be awesome with fresh thyme or basil. Have fun with it! 

 

Blood Orange-Rosemary Granita

 

2 cups fresh blood orange juice

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup water

1 rosemary sprig

 

These are not the most ruby colored blood oranges (they look like grapefruit!) but they are darn tasty!

 

 



Juice your oranges.

 Next, combine sugar, water, orange juice & rosemary sprig in a medium saucepan. Add your squeeze of lemon.

 

 

  Heat over Med-low until sugar dissolves completely. Turn off heat and let herbs steep for about 5 minutes.

 

 

  Pour into a shallow dish, cover and stick in the freezer.

 



 

   Every 2 hours, take a fork and stir up those ice crystals! Scrape it, and fluff it with your fork. Easy peasy!You must stir it every once in a while during the freezing process otherwise you will not get the same texture in the granita.

 

   Once all the liquid is frozen and slushy, scoop and serve. Just keep it covered in the freezer. Should last a few weeks, no problem. Enjoy! A beautiful, easy and elegant icy treat. 

  

Blood Orange-Rosemary Granita

2 cups fresh blood orange juice

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup water

1 rosemary sprig

  Combine sugar, water, orange juice & rosemary sprig in a medium saucepan. Add your squeeze of lemon. Heat over Med-low until sugar dissolves completely. Turn off heat and let herbs steep for about 5 minutes.

  Pour into a shallow dish, cover and stick in the freezer. Every 2 hours, take a fork and stir up those ice crystals! Scrape it, and fluff it with your fork. Easy peasy!You must stir it every once in a while during the freezing process otherwise you will not get the same texture in the granita.

 

Once all the liquid is frozen and slushy, scoop and serve. Just keep it covered in the freezer. Should last a few weeks, no problem. Enjoy! A beautiful, easy and elegant icy treat.