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.

Chilled watermelon soup

As winter had bid it's last goodbye it's time we pack those woolen clothes safely for the next year.I don't know about you or the place where you live but here in Kolkata summer has arrived in it's full glory.It's time you use up those last batch of oranges in your fridge and stash it  with summer fruits like cucumber,watermelon,mango,pineapple and a whole variety of fruits (only if you love fruit's).With the arrival of summer your winter menu in the kitchen also gets a quick revival.Like replacing piping hot soups with something chilled and refreshing for beating the summer heat and keeping the system cool.But with a little innovation even a soup can be included into your summer menu.For instance this recipe of chilled watermelon soup is a great compliment for the scorching summer days.It's light,refreshing and of course healthy.

Ingredients Serves 2-3 people

• 1 1/2 cup of diced watermelons
• 1/2 cup of watermelon chopped into bite sized peices
• 1/3rd cup of grapes
• 1/3rd cup of diced cumber (remove the seeds)
• Few mint leaves chopped
• 1 tiny green chilly
• 1/4th tsp of ginger finely chopped
• 1/4 th - 1/2 tsp of lemon juice
• salt as per taste
• sugar if needed

Method

1. Add the diced watermelon,grapes,diced cucumber,salt,lemon juice,half of the chopped mint leaves,salt,sugar(optional),chopped ginger,green chilly in a mixer.Churn it into mixer.
   
2. Strain the soup with the help of strainer and skim all the     impurities.
   
   
   
   
3. Add in the bite sized pieces of watermelon chunks and chopped mint leaves.
   
4. Refrigerate it for at least an hour.Your chilled watermelon soup is ready.All you need to do is soup it up! :)