Granita is a semi-frozen desert from Sicily, Italy composed sugar, water and various flavorings. Although similar to sorbet and Italian ice it has a much more crystalline and coarser texture.
Other popular flavorings used are mint, jasmine, mandarins, lemons, almonds, chocolate, coffee and wild strawberries and black mulberries.
The use of peaches gives the granita a acidic tang coupled with sweetness.
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3 and 1/4 cups water
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2 teaspoons lemon juice
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1 cup white sugar
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4-5 peaches, peeled, stoned and sliced
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Few peach slices
Step 1. To peel peaches easily, pierce the skin of the peach in a few areas. Place the pierced peaches into a bow filled with boiling water until covered for approximately 1 minute. Using cold water drain and rinse peaches. Peel peaches.
Step 2. Dissolve the sugar into the water using a medium saucepan, over a low heat. Stir occasionally. Once the syrup has boiled, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes without stirring. Leave and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
Step 3. Process the peaches, syrup and lemon juice in a blender until smooth, then strain the mixture into a bowl.
Step 4. Cover the mixture and freeze for 3-4 hours, until it has set
Step 5. Use a fork to break up the ice then freeze again for 40 minutes more until firm. Serve the mixture into desired bowls, topped with peach slices :)