Refreshing Orange Basil Granita! {Vegan + Gluten-free + Jain}

Granita is a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and other flavourings. It has a coarse and crystalline texture. Since it is light on stomach, it is a great dessert after a heavy meal.

This Orange and Basil granita is a perfect way to celebrate the arrival of oranges. Some effort is required to make it but once you have it, you are going to love it. Beauty of granita is you can experiment with different fruit juices and make any flavour you like.

One of the produce which fills the entire market during winter season is orange. I remember noticing numerous carts of oranges on my way to school. I would wait for school to get over to drink freshly squeezed orange juice at home. It was was an everyday ritual!

Do you remember relishing orange lollies back in school? Ah! It used to be so refreshing. If not orange candy, it will instantly remind you of gola!

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Powdered sugar (Add more if required)
1+1/2 cup Orange Juice (preferably fresh)
1/2 cup Water
1/2 Tsp Black Salt/Salt
10 Basil leaves

Method

Add sugar and water in a pot and heat till sugar dissolves.

Take pot off the heat and add basil leaves. Keep aside for 10-15 minutes.

Now strain basil water. Add orange juice and salt to it. Stir well.

Transfer the mixture in a flat shallow tray and freeze till ice starts forming at the edges. Scrap ice with a fork starting from edge into the centre.

Repeat this process every 30 minutes until entire mixture looks crystallized.

Best eaten immediately once out of freezer.

Experiment with flavours like coffee, sweet-lime, strawberry, cranberry, peach, pineapple, apple! Add cinnamon, cardamom, red chilli, lemon, mint, basil to build more flavour.

Thanks for reading

Nishu