This simple dessert is completed in the freezer—no ice cream maker required. Feel free to use your favorite red wine in this recipe, but keep in mind that a lighter-style wine (like Beaujolais) will really let the strawberries shine. If you choose a deeper red, such as Merlot or Zinfandel, the strawberry flavor will be less pronounced.
When shopping for strawberries, use your nose. Choose berries with a sweet, fragrant scent. A deep red color doesnt always equate to flavorful, juicy berries, but do avoid any with wilted leaves or white or green areas around the stem.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
Granita:
Garnishes:
Preparation
For granita:
Step 1
Stir 1 cup water and sugar in small saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Cool syrup.
Step 2
Place halved strawberries, red wine, and cooled sugar syrup in processor and puree until smooth. Strain strawberry puree into 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal pan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard strawberry solids in strainer. Cover puree and freeze 1 hour.
Step 3
Using fork, stir granita, mashing any solid parts with back of fork. Freeze until firm, scraping mixture with fork every 30 minutes to form icy crystals. DO AHEAD: Granita can be made 3 days ahead. Keep covered and frozen.
Garnishes:
Step 4
Mix sliced berries, wine, and sugar in medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature until sugar dissolves and juices form, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Divide sliced strawberry mixture among 8 wineglasses. Scrape granita with fork to loosen ice crystals. Divide granita among glasses. Garnish edge of each glass with 1 whole strawberry and serve.
