Passionfruit & Orange Granita

This is my first attempt on Granita, a frozen dessert made with sugar, water and fruit juice.  Granita is different from ice-cream which is creamier. It does looks like sorbet but granita texture is more coarse and less smooth compared to sorbet. It is almost like '冰沙', literally melts in your mouth! The making process is really simple, just stir the frozen mixture (to break up the crystals) thrice in between and you get to enjoy a refreshing dessert in this hot weather! I think my kids will love this ^0^

Ingredient

• 120gm fine sugar
• 100ml water
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional)
• 4 passionfruit (ripen)
• 250ml freshly squeezed orange juice

Method

1. Place water and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until sugar is well dissolved. Increase heat and cook for another 3 mins. Turn off heat and cool.
2. Meanwhile, cut each passionfruit in half and scoop out the pulp and seeds into a sieve place over a bowl. Use a spoon to press the pulp against the sieve and extract as much juice as possible.
3. Put the seeds aside for adding into the granita, or as garnishing.
4. In a medium bowl, combine passionfruit fruit juice, apple cider, orange juice and sugar syrup. Add in 2 tbsp passionfruit seeds. Stir to mix. 
5. Pour the mixture into a airtight container and place in the freezer for 2-3 hours or until it begins to set around the edges. Using a fork, stir to break up the frozen crystals. Put the lid back on and continue to freeze for another hour.
6. Remove from the freezer and stir it again. Then freeze for another 1 hour, remove and stir one final time. At this point of time the granita can be frozen completely overnight.
7. Top with extra passionfruit seeds when ready to serve.

Recipe ref : Good Food Magazine May 2011

Cook Your Books #21 by Kitchen Flavours