Eric thinks I’m getting senile.
I would have to agree…when it comes to certain things. Like limes.
We were unloading groceries the other day when he came across a huge stash of limes buried deep in the crisper.
“Why on earth are you hoarding limes?” he asked holding up this huge bag of limes as evidence.
I looked over, puzzled yet guilty at the same time, watching as he tried to insert new produce into the crisper like a Tetris game. There was no way he was going to win this round.
“No wonder why I can’t fit any produce in here…” the bag of limes dropped on the counter with a thud.
It was rather amusing.
Do you think I could remember why I thought it was a good idea to buy a mammoth bag of limes? Of course not. Who buys 15 limes and forgets about them for weeks? I’m guessing it was for a planned recipe, but what that recipe was I just don’t know. I may never know. Recipe ideas turn over at a rapid pace in this kitchen. Since January, I’ve filled a 200 page notebook – front and back – full of recipe trials. Scary. I guess it’s only natural that some ideas never make it to the notebook…or in long-term memory. :)
So now I have some limes on my hands, it seems. If worst comes to worst I will juice the remaining limes and freeze it into ice cube trays so I can forget about them for months, until they get so much freezer burn Eric gets annoyed all over again.
Strawberry lime granita sounds like even more fun than annoying Eric, mind you, but as it turns out I can do both at the same time. More on that below…
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Summer Fever Strawberry Lime Granita
Yield
6 servings
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
4-5 hours
Total time
If you’ve ever been afraid of making granita, fear not. It’s incredibly easy and the outcome is surprisingly gourmet. It’s also the perfect solution for summer fruit on its last legs. Strawberries, raspberries, peaches, apricots, cherries, etc should all work well. I fell in love with this strawberry lime flavour and I encourage you to try this out too. I used agave nectar in an effort to forgo sugar and I was really pleased with the outcome.
Ingredients
- 1 pound/450 grams fresh strawberries, hulled
- 5-6 tbsp fresh lime juice, to taste
- 1/3 cup agave nectar
- 1/2 cup water
Directions
- In a food processor, combine all ingredients and process until smooth. Adjust agave or lime juice to taste.
- Pour mixture into a 9-inch square pan (or equivalent non-stick pan) and place into freezer for a couple hours, uncovered is fine. After a couple hours, scrape the mixture with a spoon or fork to break it up a little. You can repeat this process in another hour. It should be ready after 4-5 hours of freezing, but this may vary based on your freezer.
- When it’s firm enough, scrape/shave it with a fork or spoon and serve it all fancy in a parfait glass – or my favourite way – straight from the pan! It’s the best when it gets a bit melty and gooey. Oh man…watch out! Cover and freeze leftovers in the freezer until ready to enjoy. I didn’t bother covering it because I don’t plan on it lasting long.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)I have now found a way to do three things:
1) save money on gelato trips by making granita
2) Repurpose the bowls and spoons I’ve been hoarding from the gelato place…
3) Drive Eric crazy with the sound of scraping granita.
I learned last night that he cannot STAND the sound of the fork scraping the ice. This is clearly payback for all the times he sharpens knives within a 500 foot radius of me (shudder…) The sound a knife being sharpened is my ultimate cringe factor. I just about shrivel up and die.
Despite the fact that a few of you on Instagram think this picture looks like ground beef (I would have to agree!) I hope you do try out this recipe. I think you will be surprised at how easy it is to make and how little it tastes like ground beef.
PS- The header is now CLICKABLE at long last!
Oh this is dreamy and I shall be adding it to my favourites. Lime and strawberry – can’t go wrong.
Yum, can’t wait to try this!
yum!! this looks so delicious and refreshing! prefect for summer! and that color — simply gorgeous! thanks for sharing!
HA! It DOES look like ground beef!
Those bowls are adorable. And I also freak out somewhat when my guy sharpens the knives near me!
This looks absolutely outstanding! So jealous you have already made it. I will have to just ignore the intolerable noise. Haha.
That looks like a great summer plan! And it seems really easy. The hardest part for me would be remembering to scrape before it freezes too hard.
OK, I’m imagining scraping the granita, and while I’m not shuddering at the sound, I’m feeling lazy and bored just at the imagining stage. Do you think you could line your freezer dish with parchment paper, pop the whole square of frozen deliciousness on a cutting board, and use a potato masher or just chop it up with a sharp knife??
Oh yum! This looks incredible. I love fruit+lime!
Looks delectable!
Loved the wittiness of this post! The granita looks great- I saw a recipe for this on TV yesterday, but your looks much better with the lime.
“Who buys 15 limes and forgets about them for weeks? I’m guessing it was for a planned recipe, but what that recipe was I just don’t know. I may never know.”
It’s stuff like this that makes me adore this blog… not only are your recipes clever and original, and damned tasty, you totally crack me up. Your posts brighten my day.
Hey Erin, you brighten MY day…thank you for the smile! I’m usually the only one laughing at my jokes around here. ;)
I did that with avocados the other week! Completely forgot about them until I unearthed them and was able to scrape together enough good green flesh for some guaca-hummus!
I don’t think I would care for granitas. I’ve never been an icy dessert kind of person. Slushies at 7-11 were never my thing.
But I KEEP BUYING LIMES at the store, forgetting that I already have DOZENS of limes in the crisper drawer. So now I am in a strikingly similar situation as you. What to do with all these limes….
Maybe this recipe will change my mind. :-)
To be honest, I didn’t think I would *love* granita either, but it really surprised me. It’s not as icy as Italian Ice, but really thick and flavourful.
This looks yummy! My parents are big into gelato and although they have been to Italy, my Dad still says the best gelato he’s ever had is a peanut butter gelato in…Hong Kong of all places. Granita sounds really refreshing though! I used to have it all the time during the summer I lived in the south of France. By the way, I think you once posted a picture of a little candy shop, and I could swear it’s the one in Avignon (I think you said it was Marsailles, there could be two I don’t know) that I used to pass every day on my way to school, and ended up accidentally buying $100 worth of fudge from there because I misunderstood the pricing…a mathematical error and not a linguistic one I might add! That’s what’s the most embarrassing :(
PB Gelato would be amazing I’m sure. The place in Oakville has a toasted marshmallow flavour. Too bad it’s not dairy-free because I would be all over that with some chocolate syrup and crushed grahams. Might have to make my own some day…
That’s funny about the candy shop! I think I know the exact pic you are referring to and yes I think it was in Marseilles. Makes me want to look through the photos right now and dream. :)
This looks so summery and delicious! I just happened to buy some strawberries and limes, so bring it on! S
Sometimes I find random vegetables and fruits I have been hoarding too :) Glad it turned into something yummy!
I absolutely cannot wait to make this! You can’t beat just 4 ingredients. :)
What a perfect summer recipe!! I love that it’s so simple and fresh :)
Yummy, can’t wait to try this great summer treat! Beautiful natural color too!
Mmmmm, this granita looks so good! I annoy my husband by going bonkers hoarding autumn fruit, like apples and pumpkins, which I roast, puree, and freeze in 1 cup portions until there is no room left in the freezer. My husband annoys me by using my baggies of frozen fruit puree as ice packs to ice his legs after he goes running. The nerve!