I love a multi-course dinner, it just feels so extravagant, but sadly, most multi-courses do not take into consideration the volume of food to be consumed, so I only do it at home and never at a restaurant. I try to keep in mind how much food, a variety of textures and mixing up courses with hot, warm and cold dishes. I also like to space out the dinner party so that dinner lasts a couple of hours and not wham bam thank you mam!
This is the intermisso, or palate cleaner for our Vegetarian Valentine Dinner.
I was over at Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide the other day and they offered a lovely looking and refreshing granita made with grapefruit. Hmmm, I thought, I rather like that, so I picked up a gorgeous red grapefruit and made this lovely intermisso. I only wanted four smallish portions, so I didn’t make the amount in Greg’s recipe. I adjusted it as below.
Grapefruit Granita
Ingredients:
- 1 large ruby red grapefruit
- 1/2 lime, juice and zest
- 1 small drop orange extract (I didn’t have orange flower water)
- 2 tbsp simple syrup or to taste (it really depends how sweet your grapefruit is)
Directions:
- Wash grapefruit and lime well.
- Cut the fruit out of the skin and pith over a bowl so that all the juices can be captured.
- Stir in simple syrup, orange extract, lime juice and zest. Pour into a glass container (about the size of a brownie pan), cover and freeze.
- To serve, scrape with a strong fork into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh mint if desired.
Greg’s recipe: To make a simple syrup, heat equal parts sugar and water over medium heat until dissolved. Remove from heat, cool and store in the refrigerator.
The chunks of grapefruit mix in with the ice crystals. It’s really quite tasty.
I love granitas they are such a refreshing blast of flavor
I have yet to try a grape fruit one..I love the color of it
LikeLike
It really was refreshing Sawsan, but I do love the taste of grapefruit. I hope you try it.
LikeLike
Such a refreshing dessert! Your pretty glasses with the delicious granita and the lovely napkin makes a striking picture! Hope you had a great Valentine!
LikeLike
Thank you kitchen flavours, it was indeed lovely! But it was not a dessert, it was a palate cleanser.
LikeLike
I bought some limes today and I still have some pink grapefruit. I want to make this now, but I’ll settle for tomorrow evening.
LikeLike
The combo of grapefruit and a splash of lime was just the right amount of tart and sweetness, Sharyn. Hope you had a good time last week.
LikeLike
What a terrific palate cleanser! ….and the glasses are adorable! You know – you’re right there is something elegant about multi course meals, but I, too, only do it at home….restaurant portions are outrageously large….delicious! But too much of a good thing!
LikeLike
The glassware is antique Ann, inherited from my MIL; I was very fortunate that my SIL was not as interested in these lovely pieces and gave them all to us!
LikeLike
Gorgeous glassware…and a fabulous palate cleanser. I bet the grapefruit/orange combo was delightfully delicious~
LikeLike
Thank you Liz, it was a tasty little break in a long dinner.
LikeLike
A gorgeous colour for that granita and the serving dish sets it off wonderfully. As a palate cleanser I’m sure it was amazing. Another swing … and a hit!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Maraia; it was a home rum! Just the right amount of sweetness.
LikeLike
Happy Valentine’s Day Eva – I love granita – such a refreshing snack, dessert or breakfast – normally I have only watermelon: I don’t think I ever tried grapefruit before – thanks for the idea 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you kindly Charles. Breakfast? Perhaps I’ll try that sometime! The idea was Greg’s.
LikeLike
What a simple and elegant dessert. I love the presentation. Lovely clicks.
LikeLike
You could have it as a dessert Asmita, we had it as a palate cleanser.
LikeLike
Ooooh. What a pretty dessert! I’ve never attempted anything like this – it looks fab.
LikeLike
Thanks Dara, I suppose it could be a dessert, we had it as a palate cleanser.
LikeLike
So pretty with those heart napkins, and I love the idea of a little mint with it! Happy Valentine’s Day!
LikeLike
The mint would have been great Betsy, sadly my little stash wilted so I didn’t use it. I have done a wonderful cucumber and mint granita which was also refreshing and lovely. https://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/cucumber-and-mint-granita/
LikeLike
I love the presentation of your granita Eva! I’m not a big fan of grapefruit, but I think I would like this with watermelon. It looks so refreshing. 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day to you and JT! I hope you have a wonderful evening.
LikeLike
Thanks Kristy, watermelon would be an excellent substitute; I might just add a splash more lime into it to get the right balance. JT and I are staying in and we’re splurging on some crab legs and a warm mushroom salad. If I haven’t got into the bubbly too soon, I may just take a few shots and blog about it in the future. But then again, I have to be downtown for Jury Duty at 8:30am. Talk about a slap in the face.
LikeLike
I love having an palate cleanser! I’ll never forget the first time I had this it was actually a watermelon-based sorbet. Being so country, I thought it was already dessert – imagine my surprise when add’l courses kept coming! Your granita looks fantastic!
LikeLike
I love a watermelon version as well, Bill. Sometimes in restaurants they sweeten the ice too much, thereby making you think it was a dessert. The tartness is supposed to cleans and get your palette ready for the next course. Much like pickled ginger with sushi. Thank you for the lovely compliment.
LikeLike
What a pretty presentation! I love the pink with the red. Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
Thanks Greg. It was easy to decrease to the quantity I needed. The guests loved it.
LikeLike
I enjoy a good granita, especially during the Summer. One made from grapefruit would be particularly refreshing, I’d imagine.
LikeLike
You are quite right, John. The recipe Greg had was just the right amount of tartness and sweetness. I will definitely make this again, perhaps as a refreshing cocktail in the hot, humid summer months.
LikeLike
I love a palate cleanser. It is such a ‘break’ between heavier courses and so refreshing and cleansing. This ruby grapefruit granita looks delicious and the perfect thing to have between heavier courses.
LikeLike
It really was refreshing Charlie. I’m going to remember this for our summer months. It’s not overly sweet either.
LikeLike