whippin’ it up

July 6th, 2008 @ 9:41 pm | food | Post a Comment

I can see how easy it is to quit blogging. Sure, I’ve been doing it almost three years now, which is by far the longest running hobby of my adult life, but I just took a week off on accident and didn’t even really blink an eye. My new job is consuming all of my mental energy and by the time the weekend comes, it’s nice to take a break from being in front of a computer screen.

All of this is just to say thank goodness for Nic and RA’s Whip It Up cooking challenge, which is helping me get back on the old blogging train again. I may not be writing much, but I have been cooking! In the past few days I’ve made homemade pizza, ground turkey tostadas, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and a raspberry lime granita.

I’m just going to pretend that I did not look at the Whip It Up home page and see that this week’s suggested dish is pasta. Oops. How about a light dessert for after you eat all that pasta?

So, where to begin? I’ve had it in my mind that I wanted to make a granita for awhile now. I’ve never had a granita before, and I wasn’t even sure exactly what it was, (and my husband must have been confused by all this granita-what? talk at least eight different times because he seriously had no idea what I was talking about) but really I just wanted a light, fruity, dessert good for hot summer evenings.

I looked at a lot of different recipes and didn’t quite find one that I liked. So I decided to adapt a recipe for Strawberry Lime Granitas for raspberries. The only differences are that I used a different berry, and I added in a small splash of Triple Sec.

The process is pretty simple. Boil and simmer together the puréed berries, water, sugar, and lime zest. Strain the seeds and add Triple Sec and lime juice. Put it all in the freezer and scrape it with a fork every 30 minutes or so until it’s like a shaved ice/slushee. Then eat!

Following the directions was easy enough, and we passed the freezing time by playing a heated game of Scrabble (which I won 339 to 333 thankyouverymuch). The end result, however? Good but certainly not great. Just a little too sweet to be light and summery.

If I were to make a granita again, I’d probably try strawberries like the original recipe calls for. The raspberries were just a little too potent for me. Maybe I could also just use a smaller amount of raspberries and a greater amount of water? I would also consider trying out new and different flavors, perhaps even with booze in them for a party. Peach ginger granitas? Mocha espresso granitas? Kiwi watermelon granitas? Margarita granitas? The possibilities are endless, so I really should try again.

Raspberry Lime Granitas (adapted from Eddybles)

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup raspberry purée, fresh or frozen (Note: I’d probably halve or 3/4 this next time, and possibly increase the water)
  • zest of one or two limes (we also used a little lemon zest because we’re WILD like that)
  • 1/2 cup sugar (maybe this is too much?)
  • splash of Triple Sec (optional)
  • juice of one lime (about 2 T)
  • whole raspberries or lime wedges, for garnish (optional)

1. Bring water, raspberry purée, lime zest and sugar to a boil in a heavy bottom saucepan, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for three minutes.

2. Add lime juice and Triple Sec then strain through a fine strainer. Cool completely before freezing. (or skip the cooling, whatever!)

3. Freeze the mixture in a 1 1/2-2 quart non-reactive metal container or bowl. (We used a silicone pan. I don’t think it matters much.) Every thirty minutes, stir and crush the lumps that form with a fork. Continue this process for two to three hours until frozen completely. Before serving, scrape with a fork and crush any lumps to lighten the texture. Spoon into glasses or bowls and garnish with whole raspberries.

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I’m going to try to get back to regular blogging this week. I have to tell you all about the weirdest birthday present ever, and my new DC status symbol. I know you’re all on the edge of your seats in anticipation.

comments

  1. God that looks amazing.

    Super excited to try it this week when I am home!!

    written by Julie

    July 6th, 2008 @ 10:20 pm

  2. This looks like an awesome summer drink recipe! I will have to try this one out. I wonder if it would work with cointreau and oranges?

    written by nancypearlwannabe

    July 6th, 2008 @ 10:22 pm

  3. I miss your blogging! But having stuff to do AWAY from the computer screen is definitely a good excuse. :)

    Good job with getting an early head start on the Whip It Up challenge! I still need to decide what I’m going to make, and also buy the ingredients. :)

    written by Zandria

    July 6th, 2008 @ 10:24 pm

  4. the anticipation is KILLING me… Also, my friend/soulmate of yours introduced me to a bev you are doing to LOVE!

    written by alexa

    July 7th, 2008 @ 9:39 am

  5. Ooh, granita! I saw Giada make one on “Everyday Italian,” and I have always wanted to try one. Don’t worry, the themes each week are just suggestions, so you make whatever you want!

    Did you use the dictionary for those Scrabble scores? If not, JG and I are very impressed.

    written by RA

    July 7th, 2008 @ 9:45 am

  6. I have always wanted to attempt a granita but lately haven’t had much time. Like RA, I have seen the Everyday Italian episode where Giada makes granita and it looks amazing.

    written by Bobbi

    July 7th, 2008 @ 10:22 am

  7. holy hell, that looks fabulous.

    and yes, dying of anticipation over here ;)

    written by Michelle & the City

    July 7th, 2008 @ 11:09 am

  8. Yum, yum! I need to figure out a pasta dish for this week… I was going to use AS’s chocolate birthday cake for this week, but I think I won’t be able to post it in time…

    written by Laurel

    July 7th, 2008 @ 12:53 pm

  9. can i come to your place for dinner tonight? :)

    written by katelin

    July 7th, 2008 @ 2:17 pm

  10. Ok, that could quite possibly be the most delicious lokoing thing EVER?

    written by Chelsea Talks Smack

    July 7th, 2008 @ 2:20 pm

  11. WOW.. amazing! I want one now. (Although I have a feeling mine wouldn’t look as good as yours. All your food pics look fab.)

    I hear you on the whole blogging thing . . . ever since canning the daily blogging, I’ve been way too lazy.

    And what is this about a status?

    written by alyndabear

    July 7th, 2008 @ 3:02 pm

  12. oooh, that looks yummy. i’m WAY to impatient to stir something like that every half an hour til it freezes though.

    i feel ya on the blogging break, it sucks feeling like you’re so busy you can’t do something that’s been so important! i hate feeling all sorts of disconnected with my bloggie friends!

    xoxox

    written by Rachel

    July 8th, 2008 @ 11:36 am

  13. If the result was too sweet, maybe try cutting the sugar in half next time. Different fruits need different amounts of added sugar when cooking with them. If you mess too much with the amount of water, your texture might be off, or it might taste like a watered down but still sweet version instead of having a nice fruit flavor. Just a suggestion! :) But yes, this does look delicious.

    And oatmeal chocolate chip is my absolute FAVORITE kind of cookie!

    I’ve also been on a major blogging break this summer – so busy with weekend travels and trying to work out during the week that I post like twice a month. It’s OK – real life should always take precedence in my opinion!

    written by Charise

    July 8th, 2008 @ 3:28 pm

  14. Long time reader, first time commenter. I am absolutely going to try this, these sound/look absolutely delicious!

    *you’ve been goosed

    written by Blue Goose

    July 8th, 2008 @ 8:02 pm