Lemon Balm and Crystallized Ginger Granitas

Summah solllstiiiice, y’aaaaall. Aw, lawwwwd.

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Time to board those thirsty mouths on the Refreshment Trolley and take a ride!

You don’t have to tell anyone I just said that.

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The other day on the NPRs there was a local story about ice cream vs. frozen yogurt vs. gelato vs. granitas. Which one has the most fat, which one has the most calories, which one has the most awesomeness. And it got me thinking, “I really miss Taylor Dayne.”

Oh wait. That’s something else.

It got me thinking, “I’ve never made granitas before!” Except I say it like a tool, “Grrrra!-nee!-ta!” And my face looks like a character out of Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun video.

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I’m going to give you two versions of this here grrra!-nee!-ta! This way, with a handful of easy summer solstice steps, and the lazy man’s way, with like, two simple summer solstice steps.

I also realize that they’re usually made with fruit. But whatever, YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME. Not you you, but the understood you. The extra-terrestrial ghostly you. Never mind.

Remember all that lemon balm I have in my garden? You don’t even want to see it now. It’s so overgrown and nasty and raggedy. But we like it call it “whimsical” to keep the cops away. It has yet to work.

This grrra!-nee!-ta! basically uses a truck load of balm with a little bit of minced crystallized ginger, some fresh lemon juice, water and sugar. BUT, if it’s 97 degrees where you are and the idea of four steps wears you out (I totally get it), just go the lazy man’s route. Make some fresh lemon balm tea, pour that into a small tray and freeze. Voila. Done. More time for Taylor Dayne.

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I loooooooved this little treat. It made me dancy. The fresh lemon juice punches you in the face, while the crystallized ginger massages your belly. It’s sweet AND tart AND icy AND fresh AND summery.

You can also add some vodka if you want, hollaaaaaa.

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Get summered!

Lemon Balm and Crystallized Ginger Granitas:

What it took for 4 servings:

* 2 cups packed lemon balm leaves
* 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
* 1/3 cup crystallized ginger
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 3 cups water

In a food processor, blitz the lemon balm and lemon juice until it’s as pureed as you can get it.

Remove and place in a medium bowl. Add the crystallized ginger to the processor. Give it another few pulses to break down the ginger a bit.

Bring the water, sugar and crystallized ginger to a light simmer. Once the sugar is dissolved, pour the mix into the bowl with the lemon balm mix. Stir to combine.

Pour mix into a small tray. Freeze for 2 hours. Fluff with a fork and freeze another hour or so. Fluff again and serve garnished with fresh lemon balm.

Shove into face.

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You know you want to climb onto the Refreshment Trolley.

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22 Responses to Lemon Balm and Crystallized Ginger Granitas

  1. Tieghan June 21, 2013 at 8:04 am #
    These are amazing! I love all these lemony post! So fun, but they make me want all my own lemons!
  2. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking June 21, 2013 at 8:42 am #
    Helllooooo beautiful. Happy first day of summer, Bev!
  3. Averie @ Averie Cooks June 21, 2013 at 9:30 am #
    I think you should add some rum to this and then we're talking :)
    • Jaclyn June 21, 2013 at 10:22 am #
      I second the rum! It is a friday!
  4. Katie June 21, 2013 at 12:36 pm #
    Oh heck to the yes. I am all about ginger and lemon together. Want to pour this glass on my face.
  5. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) June 21, 2013 at 4:39 pm #
    Nice recipe that looks so refreshing!!
  6. Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence June 21, 2013 at 4:57 pm #
    Every time I see the word balm, it reminds me of this: http://youtu.be/gtkU2ch0sRI (you can enjoy the whole thing or skip to 1:46 ish).
  7. Jackie @ The Beeroness June 21, 2013 at 5:47 pm #
    It's so pretty. And also I want to eat it with some beer. That's all.
  8. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl June 21, 2013 at 5:53 pm #
    I want lemon balm leaves in my backyard. :(
  9. Bethany June 21, 2013 at 8:13 pm #
    If I was foolish enough to skip planting lemon balm in my backyard this year, is that something I can pick up at the grocery store? I don't know that I've ever seen them!
  10. Amanda June 22, 2013 at 4:25 am #
    I love mint in everything, mixed with lemon I can imagine what it is, divine. I am already thirsty, I`ll run for ingredients and try to make this myself, too bad I don`t have a garden to grow all there, but maybe someday... Thanks for the recipe
  11. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. June 23, 2013 at 1:32 am #
    I'm totally on board the refreshing and thirsty train! These look perfect!
  12. Elizabeth June 23, 2013 at 3:20 pm #
    This sounds delightful! It is currently 6,000 degrees in Austin and I think I need one of these right meow!
  13. Laurie {Simply Scratch} June 24, 2013 at 10:16 am #
    So so pretty Bev!
  14. Sarah June 24, 2013 at 6:33 pm #
    What's up with you not posting regularly??? I'm thinking you. Are. Preggers. If so, oh happy day!! But we missssssss you!!!
  15. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com June 24, 2013 at 10:03 pm #
    The perfect way to celebrate blazing hot temperatures in Florida!! Weeeeeeeee!
  16. ninja food processor June 27, 2013 at 1:38 am #
    I love the ninja blender, You can make so a lot of various things with it, and it's seriously effortless to clear bring about you just just take the blade out then put it in the dishwasher. I genuinely really like the containers it will come with bring about you can do more like solitary servings of smoothies, or you can make dip. If your obtaining this for juicing, I'm not sure how well it will operate for that because it will make far more like a smoothie, not a quite liquidy juice. Anyhow, I consider it is really a good alternative for producing wholesome foods. ninja food processor http://it.toolbox.com/people/cobwebmarket35/?pv=1
  17. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen June 27, 2013 at 10:23 pm #
    Yes please, I need this before I melt from the heat!
  18. Nutmeg Nanny June 28, 2013 at 9:02 pm #
    Yes! I love this, so amazing :)

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