Lemon Verbena Granita
Recipe by Jamie Oliver from Oliver's Twist
Granita is the earliest form of ice cream, and is basically flavoured ice which is then ‘scratched’ up with a fork to make it all crystally. It's very refreshing. Lemon verbena has a limey, citrus smell, and according to my friend Jekka acts as a relaxant if infused in boiling water, helping you sleep.
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 sprigs lemon verbena washed in cold water
- Zest of one Lemon
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 425 ml boiling Water
- 6 Ice cubes
Apple compote
- 1 eating Apple coarsely grated
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- Juice of 1 Lemon
To serve
- 4 Dessert Spoons crème fraiche
- lemon verbena to garnish
Method
- Place a small metal tray into the freezer to chill. Put the lemon verbena, lemon zest, and sugar into the boiling water and allow to infuse for 10 minutes. Add your ice cubes to bring the temperature down and then sieve the liquid into the cold metal tray (keep the lemon zest and verbena for later) and place in the freezer for about 2 hours. Mash with a fork, scratching up the ice, then freeze for a further 2 hours.
Apple compote
- To prepare the apple compote, put 2 tablespoons of sugar into a small pan and heat on a medium heat until it is syrupy and light caramel colour. Finely chop the reserved lemon zest and lemon verbena and add to the caramel with the apple. Mix and cook for a couple of minutes.
To serve
- To serve, spoon a little compote into 4 small shot glasses, then a spoonful of creme fraiche, and finally top with the granita and a small sprig of lemon verbena.
Notes & Tips
Visit Jamie Oliver’s website at www.jamieoliver.com ©Jamie Oliver 2002
