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Recipe of the Week - Pink Champagne Granita with Cherries
by Wen Zientek-Sico
 This very simple and elegant dessert is the perfect finale for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner. It makes for a beautiful light dessert that has a wonderful slightly sweet flavor that even the most lovesick will be able to enjoy.
Pink Champagne Granita with Cherries
This simple granita is the perfect finish to a romantic dinner. It is light, elegant, and easy to make. Unlike most other frozen dessert recipes, you do not need any special equipment or an ice cream maker to make this traditional Italian dessert. For a faster dessert, this recipe can be used in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions to make a sorbet. Additional sugar or a squeeze or two of orange or lemon juice may be required to meet your personal taste, but if you use a champagne you like, the sweetness should be perfect. Non-alcoholic champagne or sparkling grape juice can be used in place of the champagne if desired.
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 cups pink champagne
Pinch salt
2 cups fresh cherries or berries
 In a small heavy saucepan mix the sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Turn the heat off and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Add the champagne and salt to the sugar syrup and mix well. Pour the mixture into a medium flat pan. Freeze for 20 minutes, then vigorously stir the mixture with a fork, scraping the sides well. Repeat, mixing about every 20-30 minutes, or until the granita is firm. The time will vary depending upon the champagne you use and how hard you want the granita to be. To serve, scrape the mixture from the pan with an ice cream scoop. Serve immediately in chilled glasses and top with the cherries. The granita can be made in advance, simply let the granita sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture is soft enough to scrape easily.
Makes 4 Servings.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Freezing Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
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