Sicilian Citrus-Mint Bliss Granita
Experience a refreshing escape with our Sicilian Citrus-Mint Bliss Granita, a dazzling symphony of ripe blood oranges, crisp Granny Smith apples, and aromatic fresh mint. This frozen dessert encapsulates the essence of a sultry Sicilian evening, where the fragrant mint patch and the intoxicating aroma of citrus fruits spark memories of shared laughter and joyous moments with friends. Perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day, every icy spoonful offers a delightful burst of fruity sweetness and citrusy zest, creating a truly heavenly treat. Relive the flavors of that charming trattoria and fall in love with every bite.
N/A
Servings
53
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
1/2 cup (none)
sugar
4 tablespoons (none)
orange zest
1 tablespoon (fine zest)
fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup (washed)
Granny Smith apples
3 (peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks)
fresh orange juice
4 cups (squeezed)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
orange-flavored liqueur
2 tablespoons (optional)
mint leaves
4 (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, orange zest, and fresh mint leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
2
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved, stirring occasionally to ensure no sugar remains undissolved.
3
Remove the pan from heat and strain the syrup to discard the mint leaves. Return the syrup to the saucepan.
4
Add the chopped Granny Smith apples to the syrup and cook over medium heat until the apples are soft and pulpy, approximately 5-7 minutes.
5
Allow the apple-mint syrup to cool completely. For quicker cooling, place it in the fridge.
6
In a blender, combine the cooled syrup with the freshly squeezed orange juice, lemon juice, and orange-flavored liqueur (if using). Blend until smooth and well integrated.
7
Pour the mixture into a freezer-proof dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 6 hours, or ideally overnight, to achieve the best texture.
8
Approximately 10 minutes before serving, remove the granita from the freezer to soften slightly. Use a food processor to pulse the granita into fine crystals, or alternatively, use a fork to scrape the surface into fluffy shards.
9
Serve the granita in individual dishes or glasses, garnished with additional mint leaves for a fresh touch.
Nutrition Information
0g
Fat
13g
Carbs
0g
Protein
10g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sicilian Citrus-Mint Bliss Granita?
It is a refreshing frozen dessert made with blood oranges, Granny Smith apples, and fresh mint.
What are the primary flavors of this dessert?
The main flavors include a symphony of ripe blood oranges, crisp apples, and aromatic fresh mint.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 53 calories per serving.
Is there any fat in this granita?
No, this recipe contains 0g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count?
Each serving contains 13g of carbohydrates.
How much sugar does it contain?
This dessert contains 10g of sugar.
Is there any protein in this recipe?
No, there is 0g of protein.
What type of apples should be used?
The recipe recommends using 3 Granny Smith apples.
How should the apples be prepared?
They should be peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks.
How long do the apples need to cook?
Cook the apples in the syrup for approximately 5-7 minutes until they are soft and pulpy.
What ingredients make up the initial syrup?
The syrup is made from water, sugar, orange zest, and fresh mint leaves.
Should I leave the mint leaves in the syrup?
No, the syrup should be strained to discard the mint leaves before adding the apples.
How long does the granita need to freeze?
It needs to freeze for at least 6 hours, or ideally overnight for the best texture.
How do I achieve the crystal texture?
You can pulse the frozen mixture in a food processor or use a fork to scrape the surface into shards.
Is the orange-flavored liqueur necessary?
No, the orange-flavored liqueur is optional.
How much orange juice is required?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of freshly squeezed orange juice.
How much lemon juice is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the purpose of the orange zest?
It provides a citrusy zest and aromatic depth to the syrup base.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 9 ingredients listed.
Is this dessert suitable for a hot day?
Yes, it is described as perfect for quenching thirst on a hot day.
What are the main categories/tags for this recipe?
Tags include granita, frozen desserts, refreshing treat, and citrus dessert.
What inspired the creation of this granita?
It was inspired by the fragrance of a Sicilian mint patch and memories of a charming trattoria.
How should the granita be garnished?
It should be garnished with additional fresh mint leaves.
Do I need to blend the mixture?
Yes, the cooled syrup and juices should be blended until smooth before freezing.
When should I take it out of the freezer before serving?
Remove it approximately 10 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly.
Is there any sodium in the nutritional facts?
Sodium content is not listed for this recipe.
Is this recipe high in fiber?
Fiber content is not listed for this recipe.
Can I use a food processor to serve it?
Yes, a food processor can be used to pulse the granita into fine crystals.
What kind of mint is used?
Fresh mint leaves are used for both the syrup and the garnish.
Is the sugar content high?
The recipe contains 10g of sugar per serving.