Orange-Mango and Strawberry Granitas with Condensed Milk

When Jeremy returns home from a trip later in the evening (when it's too late to cook dinner) I like to try to make a dessert (see Blackberry Cobbler). Since we try not to eat too many sweets this is the perfect, occasional chance to be creative.

One such summer evening gave me the idea of making granita for my dessert. Granita is a slushy, icy Italian deal that is tasty and refreshing. I decided that I didn't want to have just one flavor though, so I want to the store for more inspiration. I decided on a strawberry granita, because fresh strawberries were on sale, as well as a mango-orange granita that would be made from a mango-orange juice blend I could already buy pre-made.

To top it off I got creative with the typical Italian treat and added a twist based off of the snow cones they serve in Louisiana, which are served with a generous helping of sweetened condensed milk that is poured (not drizzled) over it. I prefer drizzled on granita, but to each his own. ;)



Orange Mango Granita
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 cups orange-mango juice blend

Strawberry Granita
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
3 cups fresh strawberries, pureed in food processor until smooth.

As you can see, the ingredients and rations are pretty similar and very simple so be creative! There is an awesome recipe for grapefruit and champagne granita out there somewhere, as well as coffee granita as well.

Anyway, the directions are pretty easy, you just need time.

1) Add the sugar to the boiling water until dissolved. I chill mine after this so that it is cool.

2) To the chilled simple syrup add the lemon-and-orange/mango-juice or lime-and-pureed-strawberries.

3) Pour into large, flat baking dish. The more surface area the better because it will set faster. Place in freezer.

4) Every twenty minutes use a fork to scrape and mix the granita as it is freezing. This will result in a rough, slushy sort of texture and will not allow the liquid to freeze into one solid cube.

5) When it has reached the desired frozen consistency, spoon into fun glasses and serve drizzled with sweetened condensed milk, slices of strawberry, or sprigs of mint.

:)