Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Fresh Watermelon Salsa & Granitas

 The height of summer is upon us, so let's quickly prepare our Fourth of July menus so we can savor our time with friends and family. Watermelon is the idyllic Fourth of July fruit and I must say this first recipe is tried and true.  Watermelon Salsa may sound a bit different, but with the added hot peppers it has all the right balance.  With a couple simple ingredients it will come together in a BANG!
Watermelon and chili peppers make a summer salsa


Sweet Summer Watermelon Granita
Watermelon Salsa and Tortilla Chips for Summer
Watermelon Salsa
3 cups seeded and coarsely chopped organic watermelon
1/2 small white onion diced
1 diced banana pepper
1 seeded jalapeno pepper
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
pinch garlic salt
mix all together
 cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to blend flavors

Now for the Fireworks! Surprise your guests with these completely refreshing Granitas.  These simple ingredients are all you need for these semi-frozen Italian delights. Serve at the end of a BBQ or between courses. This is one that your guests will remember.
Watermelon Granita
Watermelon Granita is a frozen summer treat
Frozen Watermelon Granitas with Vodka
Summer Frozen Treats
Watermelon Granita
1/2 Seedless Watermelon, cut into chunks (about 8 cups)
2 whole Limes juiced
1/3 cup Sugar
Place half the watermelon, half the lime juice, and half the sugar in a blender. Process until smooth, pour into a separate bowl. 
Repeat with other half of ingredients. Pour into same bowl as other batch.
Transfer mixture to a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Freeze for two or three hours, then begin the process of lightly scraping the top, frozen layer.
Return pan to freezer with the shaved ice on top; remove a couple of hours later and continue scraping.
Repeat the occasional scraping process until the entire mixture is shaved.
Store, covered in plastic wrap, until serving. 
Serves 8
Pinnacle Vodka
Now these are great virgin. but to punch it up a bit (after all it is the Fourth) add Pinnacle's Whipped Cream flavored Vodka before you put in the baking dish.  How much you add is up to you.  I added roughly 3 shots. You can literally cut the recipe in half and make virgin/spiked Granita's at the same  time!

Love and Tulips,
Amanda from Irvine



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