March 25, 2009

Watermelon granita

Watermelon granita

A poolside BBQ and swim party is something my friends and I love to plan all year round. Usually we just throw burgers and sausages on the grill then lay out the condiments and whatever sides we decide to make that day. Sometimes there's a casserole of some sort or a pasta dish. Drinks are always aplenty. The beers are chilling in the ice box and a pitcher of iced tea and various soft drinks are also available. The music and laughter are flowing freely and we just eat and hang around and have a great, great time.

These parties become more frequent as soon as summer comes around. And there's no denying that summer has arrived in the Philippine islands! I'm already tempted to turn on the a/c at night, but I'm holding off for as long as I can still manage to sleep well without it. It becomes almost unbearable to stay most days during the months of March to May yet we force ourselves to leave our air-conditioned cocoons and surge bravely into the sticky humidity to fire up that grill and flip those burgers while beads of sweat form a river down our spines.

And we did just that two Sundays ago. Anticipating a hot day, I had first thought of making some fruit shakes with all the fruit I had at home. At the last minute though, I decided on making this watermelon granita for a change. I found a simple recipe online and the result was exactly how I hoped it would be: light, absolutely refreshing, cooling and so so good.

Alas, it didn't make it to the party. Thinking I could make it in the morning for a 3 pm party was a mistake. I should have started it the night before. I did not take into consideration the fact that I do not live alone and hence I am not the only one that opens and closes the freezer door. By the time I had to leave, it was still this tray of half-frozen slush. Thankfully, I also had some pineapples for the grill so I didn't arrive empty-handed. Because the party had lasted well into midnight, we cranked out the blender and made sangria slushies instead.

When I checked my icebox that night, the granita was good and ready. So for days after, I enjoyed a glass of watermelon granita in the warm evenings while I daydreamed of palm trees and and blue-green waters.

Watermelon granita2

Watermelon Granita
recipe & instructions from foodnetwork.com

1/2 seedless watermelon
1/2 cup white sugar
juice of 1 lemon

Cut up watermelon flesh into chunks and then puree in a blender. If your watermelon isn't seedless, make sure to remove the seeds first before putting in the blender or you'll get mashed up seeds which may taste bitter.

Combine the watermelon juice with the sugar and lemon and mix well. Pour it all into a shallow wide pan and freeze for 1 hour. When the mixture is frozen, remove from the freezer and rake with a fork all the way through. Return to the freezer for another hour and then rake again. Return to the freezer for one more hour. Rake again with fork then serve. Add a sprig of mint to up the coolness factor!
Have a great summer everyone! (or Spring or Fall, use whichever is applicable to you) :)

12 comments:

ChichaJo said...

That looks like the absolute perfect thing to be having in this heat! Sounds super delicious!!! Looks it too :)

Miss those bbq parties...we have missed too many already!

Unknown said...

This looks way too easy Christine.

Summer is coming here in the Big Ugly. I am filing this away. The only thing it seems to be missing it a little splash of alcohol. Rum, you think?

Beautiful pics, btw.

christine said...

Jo, it's super duper! (super duper lights are gonna find me, shining like the sun....) heehee sorry couldn't help it. And we miss you at the parties! :(

Christina!! It is way way too easy. Just takes hours to complete, but all you do is mix, then rake and then rake again. a 2 yr old can do it. :) Oh yes, rum in it would be nice, maybe white rum.

Unknown said...

I can't wait to try this during the sweltering summers here. Too bad I have to wait til June before the watermelons come out.

Missing the summer fun back home!

Anonymous said...

This reminds me of something I've wanted to try for many years, but never have: pouring vodka into a watermelon and then freezing it. Now THAT sounds like the perfect summer refresher! :-D

Christina said...

@ Katrina:

My friend David is a master of the injected fruit. :-) You need a syringe. Then you can do watermelons, oranges, the mind boggles at the options... The watermelons turn white when they're full of alcohol.

What that's really good for is when popping open a bottle of wine or beer is not allowed. Then just have a slice of watermelon!

christine said...

Hi Mieke, Just think about the sweltering heat and how unbearable it might be, so you don't miss it too much.

Katrina/Christina, I want some of that! Watermelon would be the best fruit for that since it would absorb the alcohol well. Using white or clear rum should be good too, like Malibu. Yum!

Brisbane hotels said...

This is perfect for this coming summer. Looks so delicious. Yummy.

Berkshire Graphic Design said...

Oooh can't wait to try this. Thanka for sharing the technique!

shower favors said...

Lovely photo! Sounds easy to make. Thanks!

blowin gaskets said...

It's so hot today, this would be perfect!

Cheap Flights said...

I made it and my children love it. Really tasty..I made other option..instead of honey..i use milk and place pearl on it. It's delicious.