National Pina Colada Day!

Did you know that yesterday was National Pina Colada Day?  Well, I'm sure you're not alone, no one that I know knew except for me.  So in honor of the day I decided I'd whip something up.

If you read a recent post of mine for Coconut Encrusted Scallops with Banana Colada Sauce you'll know how much I love the stuff.

In fact, as a little girl my family would always go away for the Christmas Holidays to either Florida or Puerto Rico.  So every year we would have lots of virgin Pina Colada's.  I grew to love them so much and of course having spent quality time with my family (Mom, Dad, and two sisters) during the holidays and someplace tropical, I have very fond memories of Pina Colada's. 

When I finally reached the age of 21 I could have a juiced up Pina Colada but for some reason it just didn't do it for me.  I love what I grew up with and adding the Rum ruins it for me.  However, in the recipe that I'm going to share with you, feel free to add some Rum if you like.

Since it's summer I thought I'd make a Pina Colada Granita, which is a type of Italian dessert, similar to sorbet or frozen flavored ice.  The ingredients are simple and quick to put together.  I've just added a touch of lime which I think lends a special touch. 

I would suggest making this a day ahead of time to insure that it gets done in time for serving.  I'm on vacation and made it yesterday planning to have it ready by dinner time but whether it was the freezer where we're staying or the altitude it took longer than normal.

Follow these simple steps and guaranteed you'll be in Pina Colada and Granita heaven.  This cool refreshing treat is just what the doctor ordered on a hot summers day.  Oh and one other thing, you can use this technique to make any type of Granita that you desire.

Pina Colada Granita
serves 6

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups water
2/3 cups sugar
1 (13.66 oz.) can unsweetened coconut milk (2 cups)
1/2 cup pineapple juice
Juice and zest of 1 lime

Directions:

Make a simple syrup by adding the water and sugar in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar dissolves. 

Remove the pan from the heat, allow to cool, and then stir in the coconut milk. 

Add the pineapple juice, lime juice and zest and blend.

Freeze Granita:

Pour the granita mixture into a wide and shallow container.  Cover with foil and freeze for 1-2 hours until the edges are frozen. 

Take container out of the freezer and scrape the ice with a fork as though you were shredding it. 

At this point you will only be able to do the edges since the center will still be gushy.  Place back into the freezer and continue to repeat this method every half hour to an hour until the entire mixture has frozen and you have been able to scrape it into tiny ice crystals creating your Granita.

Serve in a fancy glass with a slice of lime and if desired add a splash of rum.  YUM!!!

Enjoy!

Here are some links to other Pina Colada recipes that you might like to try:
http://in-homeculinaryclasses.blogspot.com/2011/06/coconut-encrusted-scallops-with-banana.html

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2011/02/pina-colada-cupcakes.html

http://www.cherryteacakes.com/2010/05/pina-colada-donuts.html

Coffee Granita with Bailey's Drizzled Whipped Cream

Yesterday morning I made a large pot of coffee only to find out I was the only one drinking it. So with the leftovers I decided I'd make a batch of Coffee Granita's that I knew would be ready in time for dinner.

I took 2 cups of the coffee (any kind will work) and 3/4 cup of sugar. Blended them together until the sugar dissolved and then placed the mixture in the freezer. About 2 hours later I opened the freezer and with a fork I scraped the edges to loosen which were frozen. Then put the glass bowl that the mixture was in back to the freezer.

An hour later I did the same thing again and continued with this process until all the mixture was frozen and had been scraped into what looked like shavings or snowcone-like.

Then after dinner last night I took a martini glass and placed some of the frozen Coffee Granita into it. I then placed some homemade whipped cream on top and drizzled it with Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur.

All I can tell you was that it was so unbelieveably delicious! It was cold and refreshing plus with the whipped cream drizzled with the Bailey's it put it over the top. It wasn't too sweet but smooth and just right in my opinion.

If you don't want to make homemade whipped cream which is so simple with an "iSi" then just purchase some of the ready-made stuff. However, if you've never used an iSi you might consider purchasing one. It makes making whipped cream a cinch. Just add the whipping cream, CO2 cartrige, shake and you've got the real stuff. You can even doctor it up if you like with various syrups, etc. Use it as a topping for beverages, desserts, use it for sauces and even soups. It's simple and quick! Here's a video demo from the makers of iSi. I think you'll find it entertaining!

At any rate, if you like coffee I know you'll love this Granita. It was like having an after dinner drink and dessert all in one. YUM!!!