Melon Purée Mint Granita
Use Purée Melon, Frozen, Boiron (1kg) to make this recipe. Melon purée makes granita especially simple because the fruit is already smooth. A light lime syrup prevents the mixture freezing solid, while repeated scraping creates the characteristic loose crystals.
At a glance
- Yield: 6
- Preparation: 10 minutes
- Cooking: 5 minutes
- Chilling or freezing: 4 hours
Ingredients
- 600g melon purée, thawed
- 100ml water
- 90g caster sugar
- 30ml lime juice
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
Method
- Heat water, sugar, mint and salt until the sugar dissolves. Cover, infuse for ten minutes and strain.
- Cool the syrup, then whisk it with melon purée and lime juice.
- Pour into a shallow metal tray and freeze for one hour.
- Scrape from the edges to the centre with a fork every 30 minutes for about three more hours, until evenly crystalline.
- Fluff once more before serving in chilled glasses.
Why this recipe works
A shallow tray freezes quickly and evenly. Regular scraping breaks ice sheets into small crystals, while syrup and fruit solids keep the granita from becoming a solid block.
Practical tips and variations
- Use a metal tray for faster freezing.
- Taste before adding all the lime so the melon remains clear.
- Do not blend the finished granita or it will become slushy.
Serving and storage
Keep covered in the freezer for up to one week. Re-scrape with a fork before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ice-cream machine?
No. Granita is made by freezing in a tray and scraping with a fork.
Why is my granita solid?
It was not scraped often enough or may contain too little sugar.
Can I use basil instead of mint?
Yes. Infuse a small amount and taste because basil can dominate delicate melon.