Ingredients
Ingredients
- 850 g Blood Oranges (approximately 6 blood oranges)
- 100 g Sugar
- 3 sprigs fresh Tarragon
Instructions
- Prepare Oranges and Tarragon: Scrub the blood oranges thoroughly under running water to remove any impurities. Wash and pat dry the tarragon sprigs.
- Zest and Mix Sugar: Using a freezer-safe tray, add the sugar and zest the blood oranges over it to infuse the sugar with citrus oils.
- Extract Orange Flesh and Juice: Cut the blood oranges in half. Over a bowl, remove the flesh carefully, preserving the orange peels intact to use later as serving vessels. Pass the orange flesh through a sieve to separate and collect about 400 ml of juice.
- Combine and Dissolve Sugar: Transfer the extracted juice into the tray with the sugar and zest. Mix vigorously until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Add Tarragon: Remove the tarragon leaves from their stems and add them into the juice and sugar mixture, stirring to infuse the herbal aroma.
- Freeze and Scrape (First Cycle): Place the tray in the freezer for 90 minutes. Once the top starts to freeze, use a fork to scrape the surface, creating small ice crystals. Return the tray to the freezer.
- Freeze and Scrape (Second Cycle): After a further 90 minutes, scrape the surface again to break up ice clumps and encourage crystal formation, then return to the freezer.
- Freeze and Scrape (Third Cycle): Repeat the scraping process one more time after 90 minutes, or until the granita reaches the desired texture.
- Final Freeze: After the last scraping, leave the granita in the freezer for an additional 1 hour to firm up.
- Serve: Spoon the finished granita into the reserved orange peels and serve immediately for a stunning presentation and refreshing dessert.
Notes
- Ensure to scrape the granita every 90 minutes to prevent large ice crystals and achieve a light, fluffy texture.
- You can substitute tarragon with other herbs like mint or basil for a different flavor profile.
- Using fresh blood oranges gives the best color and flavor but regular oranges can be used as a substitute.
- The orange peels serve as a natural and attractive serving dish and can be composted afterwards.
- This granita is best served immediately after the final freeze for optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
