STRAWBERRY GRANITA WITH BEAUJOLAIS

Strawberry Granita with Beaujolais image

Provided by Cindy Mushet

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Granita:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 pounds (8 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled, halved
1 cup Beaujolais or other fruity dry red wine
Garnishes:
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries plus 8 large whole berries for garnish
1/4 cup Beaujolais or other fruity dry red wine
3 tablespoons sugar

Steps:

For granita:
Stir 1 cup water and sugar in small saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Cool syrup.
Place halved strawberries, red wine, and cooled sugar syrup in processor and puree until smooth. Strain strawberry puree into 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal pan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard strawberry solids in strainer. Cover puree and freeze 1 hour.
Using fork, stir granita, mashing any solid parts with back of fork. Freeze until firm, scraping mixture with fork every 30 minutes to form icy crystals. DO AHEAD: Granita can be made 3 days ahead. Keep covered and frozen.
Garnishes:
Mix sliced berries, wine, and sugar in medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature until sugar dissolves and juices form, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Divide sliced strawberry mixture among 8 wineglasses. Scrape granita with fork to loosen ice crystals. Divide granita among glasses. Garnish edge of each glass with 1 whole strawberry and serve.