Description
Cool mint ice cream meets zesty salted watermelon granita in this refreshing summer dessert. Mediterranean flavors mingle with crisp textures, offering a delightful contrast that will satisfy you with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 cups watermelon
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp flaked sea salt
Instructions
- Watermelon Granita Preparation: Pulverize ripe watermelon in a food processor with sugar and lemon juice until transforming into a vibrant, silky liquid.
- Freezing Process: Pour the watermelon mixture into a shallow freezer-safe container, spreading evenly. Freeze for 30 minutes, then rake with a fork to create delicate ice crystals.
- Granita Technique: Repeat fork-scraping every 30 minutes for 3-4 hours, developing a light, granular texture.
- Mint Infusion: Gently heat milk, sugar, and cream in a saucepan until tiny bubbles form around the edges. Remove from heat and steep fresh mint leaves for 1-2 hours.
- Custard Base: Whisk egg yolks until smooth. Gradually temper with warm mint-infused dairy mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
- Custard Development: Return tempered mixture to saucepan, heating slowly until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Ice Cream Churning: Incorporate remaining cream, chill thoroughly, then churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Final Presentation: Sprinkle watermelon granita with sea salt and layer artfully with mint ice cream in elegant serving dishes.
Notes
- Mint Infusion Technique: Steeping mint leaves in warm dairy allows maximum flavor extraction without bitterness, ensuring a pure, clean mint essence.
- Egg Tempering Skill: Slowly incorporating hot liquid into egg yolks prevents scrambling, creating a smooth, silky custard base with professional culinary precision.
- Granita Texture Mastery: Consistent fork-scraping every 30 minutes develops light, delicate ice crystals, transforming watermelon into a feathery, elegant frozen dessert.
- Salt Enhancement Trick: A pinch of sea salt on watermelon granita dramatically amplifies natural sweetness, creating a sophisticated flavor complexity that elevates the entire dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Drinks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 309
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg