watermelon mint granita

Italians have always known for their simple yet filling recipes.Like their wine and cheese they even love their desserts.The invension of the creamy and rich Gelato is one of the testimonies to the flavorful Italian cuisine.Another invention that gave it's way into the Italian kitchen was Granita.Originated in Sicily this is the most easiest dessert to make.Moreover,it's calorie free and healthy.Itialians like to use minimal ingredients and less time to make scruptious meals for their family. Proving this theory the granita requires only few ingredients resulting into a refreshing dessert.The tiny sparkling crystals of the granita looks stunning when filled in short or martini glasses.This is a semi-frozen dessert which is a great way to beat the heat and very popular among kids,too.

Ingredients Serves-3 people

• 1 and 1/2 cup of roughly diced watermelon
• 1 tsp of sugar (optional)
• Handful of mint leaves
• 1/2-1 tsp of lemon juice
• pinch of salt

Method

1. Put everything in a mixer or a juicer.And blend everything.
   
2. Strain the liquid.And pour it in a square or a rectangle tray which is a bit deep.I used a plastic rectangle tiffin box that i had with me.It is not necessary to use a rectangle or square shape container.But make sure the container is a bit deep and wide enough so that when you scrape out the ice it becomes an easy task.
   
3. Keep the liquid into the freezer for at-least 2-3 hours.
4. After half an hour take out the container out of the freezer.you'll notice that the ice has just started forming on the sides and surface of the liquid.Stab it with the fork and break the ice.Keep it inside the fridge again.
   
5. In between every half an hour or one hour take out the container and break the ice with the help of a fork.This is done so that the liquid does not from into a solid block of ice.It should appear like tiny ice crystals.After 3 hour's the granita will puff up when you scrape it with fork.
   
6. Your granita is ready to be served.Spoon them into dessert glasses and serve immediately.You can even sip it through a straw or just Eat it up! :)
   

Tips:-

1. Once you are ready to serve these granita's to your family or your guests only then bring them out of the freezer and serve.
2. Keeping a check on the granita and breaking the ice after certain intervals(1/2-1 hour) is necessary.
3. This is a semi-frozen dessert hence can be eaten with dessert spoon as well as sipped with a straw.
4. Instead of watermelon,grapes,pineapple,strawberry,orange,lemon or even coffee can be used to make granita's of your choice.