Homemade Granitas

• Granita is Italian for flavored ice.

• They can be wonderful palate cleansers between courses or a sweet dessert.

• Nearly any flavor can be used, including fruits, vegetables and even rose water.

• A fun way to serve them is in large martini glasses.

Chocolate Granita

Ingredients:

4 cups water
2/3 cups sugar
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Preparation:

Add sugar to the water in a pot. Bruise the rosemary (by pounding it with the flat edge of a knife) to release the flavor. Add it and the cocoa to the sugar water and heat to a bubble. Cook for about one minute.

Cool mixture and pour into a roasting pan. The rosemary can be removed at this point for a less-intense flavor. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and freeze the mixture for one to two hours.