Watermelon Granita with Sweet Lemon Cream

A perfect, light ending to a summer meal, this watermelon granita with lemon cream is a marriage of two cuisines--Italian and Middle Eastern. It is sure to surprise the palate with its blend of sweet and tart, crunchy and creamy. The granita can be stored in the freezer and prepared days or weeks ahead. A simple dish to prepare, the granita can be served with or without the cream. Serve granita and labneh cream with a drizzle of honey and a sprig of mint.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 100 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• ⅔ cup water
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
• ½ lemon, zested
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or to taste
• 5 leaves fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons water, or as needed
• 10 cups cubed seeded watermelon
• 8 ounces labneh (thick Middle Eastern-style yogurt)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine water, sugar, vanilla extract, and fresh mint in a heavy bottomed saucepan; bring to boil. Remove from heat; mix in lime juice and salt.

Step 2

Place watermelon in batches in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Strain through a sieve into a large bowl, using a spoon to press out as much juice as possible; stir in sugar mixture.

Step 3

Pour watermelon mixture into a 10x14-inch glass pan. Freeze, scraping the surface every 30 minutes with a fork until ice crystals form throughout, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Step 4

Mix labneh, honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest together in a small bowl. Whisk in water 1 teaspoon at a time until consistency is light and creamy. Top granita with cream.