Watermelon Granita

I notice a lot of blogging events themed on ice cream or other frozen treats this month. With the mercury on the constant raise, its fair to treat ourselves occasionally, may be often. Both G and I longed for something cool and refreshing as the temperature in my area is 116F for the past two days. I was not in the mood to make ice cream (Again, after that decadent semifreddo). So, I settled for granita. Unlike ice cream or sorbet, granitas are easy to make. They don’t require any special gadget, cooking or expertise. They are relatively low-fat too. My newly bought margarita glass is also one of the reasons, I must admit.

Watermelon Granita

While taking photos, G and I had a disagreement. I wanted to take a shot in the natural light, while he wanted a night time shot which will heighten the red colour of the granita. I couldn’t decide between the two as I liked ‘em both. To end the feud, I am going to post both the photos. Tell me what you like – the bold and colourful nighttime shot or the minimalist daytime shot.

Watermelon Granita

Ingredients

Watermelon cubes – 5 cups, seeds removed
Sugar – 1 cup
Water – ½ cup
Lemon juice – as needed

Method

Make the simple syrup by adding 1 cup of sugar to ½ cup of boiling water. Stir until sugar has dissolved and the solution becomes clear. Cool and reserve.

Blend watermelon cubes, simple syrup and lemon juice until smooth. Strain and taste the juice. It should be very sweet and with noticeable lemony taste. It looses some of its taste when frozen.

Pour the juice into a 9x13 baking dish or any shallow container and freeze for 3 hours. Scrape the mixture with a fork until its fluffy. Freeze again. Scrape and fluff the granita before serving.

Watermelon Granita

This goes to A Fruit A Month – Watermelon, hosted this month by Jai and Bee of Jugalbandi. Thank you Maheswari for creating this event which gives the fruit kingdom the respect it deserves. As much I am tempted to send this to Nupur for W of A-Z Indian Vegetables, I am restricting myself, because, this neither is a vegetable nor it is Indian. I have to come up with something else, Sigh!

34 comments:

musical said...

The prettiest granita i have seen! now, may i please have some :)

Poonam said...

Lovely pictures!! I am drooling over your granita as I write this...

Viji said...

This is eye catching Suganya. Coool, Viji

sra said...

I like both photos but find the darker one more appealing - not because of the colour, but because there's a serene, still life quality attached to it

bee said...

thanks for this beautiful entry, suganya. i prefer the night shot.

ushaprashanth said...

Hi suganya!
Watermelon Granita looks great! I like both the shots.though the shot taken in night looks inviting!

FH said...

Very pretty glass of Watermelon Granita!
116F!!! Phew! scary just to think of it.Be safe and cool Suganya.
I love the first two photos.Both are beautiful.

indosungod said...

Fabulous photos. I am going to side with G. That is a really simple granita to make.

Richa said...

so tempting :) liked the night shot

ayseyaman said...

Hi Suganya,
all your pictures are great.
"Watermelon Granita" is yummy! :)
I found out many blogging events here. But I have joined only one so far. :) Hopefully I will join more.
We have only one food event among Turkish blogs and it is only ones a month. :) Lol! I think one of the reasons I am here. :)
Thanks for sharing all your lovely recipe and photos. :))

Anonymous said...

I prefer the daylight shots. I love how refreshing it looks.

Coffee said...

I liked the night shot...... though both look great..... Lovely entry

Anonymous said...

Sorry,Suganya. I am going to go with the night shot. Granita looks way sexier in that shot.
I made the semifreddo and it is delicious but can't it more than a small slice at a time. So no need to worry about the calories. Thanks for sharing that. I am sure it will taste great with added fruit syrups too...

Laavanya said...

Granita does sound refreshing and delicious. I like the night shot - it gives it a romantic touch.

Suma Gandlur said...

Refreshing. Great pictures. The night shot is
a great one where as the shot in the light is giving a clearer picture of granita.

TheCooker said...

Just beautiful!

Cynthia said...

I love you dearly but I am with G on this one :) the night time shot all the way, it sophisticated, sultry and oh so sexy (lol)

Rasa Malaysia said...

Oooh, seems easy to make...and I do need this as the heat wave is killing me...

archana said...

It is looking very pretty. Beautiful red colour :)Though both shots are nice I like the night shot :)

Sia said...

i like the night shot. gives that glamourous look to granita:)

Susan said...

Decisions, decisions. In order of preference, I go w/ #2, #3 & #1. The night shots clearly work (especially, I think, w/ just a hint of fruit #3), but will always favor natural light.
Is this the similar post you alluded to, Suganya, when I posted my granita? I assumed you were going to do violet, too. I hope you will sometime even if a different sort of recipe. Can't get enough of your photos.

Bong Mom said...

The night time shot is very very elegant. Would love to know about your night time lighting accessories...for photography I mean :)

Kajal said...

Great and nice things......I think everyone make such a creative verity with watermelon.....all most all type of drink and fruit plate with lots of verity everyone post in blog......This is also novel verity with watermelon. Nice entry.:)

USHA said...

Granita is absolutely amazing...great shots too...

bha said...

A Perfect thirst quencher.....I will also go with the night shots, though i liked the day one also

Saju said...

this is just so mouthwatering!

Linda said...

Hi Suganya, I don't think I could choose so easily between those two photos -- both are striking. Lovely dish!

Bharathy said...

Perfect professional shots!!Amazing!!!love the glass cup and the dessert!!!!

Suganya said...

Susan, This is the post i had in my mind when i told you i have a similar idea. I love violet too. Will post something when i can.

Sandeepa, Thats just a table lamp with a black cardboard in the background. Nothing fancy. For other nighttime lighting accessories, mail me in private ;)

archana said...

Absoutely professional looking photos. Loved all the shots,but the night time shots look absolutely out of this world, there is a very distinct and captivating look to the granita in those shots, as if the light is coming from within.

Finla said...

I like the night time picture

Latha Narasimhan said...

Slowly cayching up with everyones older recipes. water melon granita is lovely! pictures are great! Cooling for summer.

A_and_N said...

Day shot for me. :D Beautiful!

luckysanjana said...

hi i think ill try your watermelon granita today i have a watermelon that has been sitting heavy in my fruit basket for way too long.........and by the way i love the minimalist lookkkkkkkkkjust that i can see the granita more upfront...............have a nice day.

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