Sangria Granita

I’ve made Granita many times. The first time I fearfully followed the recipe. Me a seasoned cook scared to mess up! Well it came out great and since then I’ve made many varieties including Blood Orange, to White Sangria and Peaches.
Granita, Also known as ‘granita siciliana‘, originated from Sicily. In most of Sicily, it has a coarser, more crystalline texture. Other areas throughout Italy have different desired textures. This is acquired as a result of different freezing techniques. It is related to sorbet and Italian ice and as stated before goes from chunky in the west to smooth in the west.
This particular one is unbelievably simple and shows that you can literally use whatever you have on hand to create an elegant easy desert on short notice. I should mention taking the freezing time in to account! That’s the
only issue with my “short notice”.

Granita Sangria
½ a Lemon
1 Orange
2 cups water
1 Cup fruit juice
6 tablespoons sugar
Cinnamon
5 Cloves
2 Cups Red Wine
Heat Water, Sugar, Cloves to a boil remove from heat.  Here if you choose to you may also zest the fruits and add it.  The zest from the fruits will give an added depth to your Granita!

As soon as its not too hot add fruit juice, lemon juice, fresh orange juice cinnamon and set aside to cool. You can adjust the taste to make it sweeter if you like.
Place in a large shallow pan and add the two cups of red wine. Swirl the liquid in the pan and place in the freezer.

As the mixture starts to freeze use a fork to constantly swirl the mixture. Do not allow it to get solid. This is the hardest part of the whole thing but
you must pay attention to avoid having one big block.

It will look like this

And then like this

And finally, the finished product.

I serve granita in Martini glasses rimmed in organic brown sugar. Here’s one of my faves to serve it in! Enjoy...

THE BOAT SHOW HAS ENDED

SO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THEY DIDN'T SHOW YOU

Wanna see what they’ve been keeping under the radar? Ok please do not ask me who they are. All I know is that under the radar, off terra firma, underground, rather under water lies luxury. Luxury beyond our wildest dream and I’m about to take you on a mission, leagues under the sea.
This underwater home, I mean Yacht leaves nothing to the imagination. In fact the only thing you will imagine is how you ever lived without this new toy!

WE ALL NEED SHOES (part deux)

I shall continue to blow our senses and feed our fascination with the gorgeous collection from the 2011 Spring/Summer Collection; Designers did not disappoint and since I find it impossible to edit shoes. I mean how does one?1 I am just not that skilled and with that being said I will now shower you with one of Spring’s best gifts.

 
THE ANIMALS COME OUT TO PLAY

His name is Burak Uyan who designs for Aperlai shoes is probably one of the most exciting designers to date to add to your shoe closet! a new German shoe designer of Turkish descent he rocks our minds and heightens our senses on how platforms can still have a space shipy look and still be classy at the same time. Take a look at some from the collection.

ALL BOXED IN

CUT IT OUT

CHANEL GAVE US PLATFORMS

Here’s a collage of a few but I’m not that interested! I do however enjoy SUNO’s version of them! These will take you right into July 4th

Louboutin did his job very well. Great denim work, and fringe benefits too. 

But it was his collection (which I deem retro) that made me smile. I see art deco, and Betty Boop styling here, and patriotic symbols which reminds me of sunshine and lollipops and most of all  summer!

WE ALL NEED SHOES

Shoes gives me the blues when I see the prices and know that unless I mortgage my husband…well you know the rest!  But I could not resist the temptation to show you the 2011 Spring/Summer Shoe Collection by some of my favorite and also unique designers!  I am talking some fun out of the box designs that made me sit up, pay attention, and even at times salute.  Well enough of me and on to the subject.  SHOES!

STRINGS STRINGS FEATHERS AND THINGS ALA DIOR

Christian Dior played with our fantasies, putting in all the fun things we would only wear with the blessings of Mr. Galiano. Compilations of feathers, leather, animal prints in funky unusual colors, beading, blanket stitching and cool espadrille styling we like.

TIE ME UP

All tied up!  Animal prints popping, tie dye rocking, stitching and textures extraordinaire!  There is so much going on with these shoes, anything more than a simple sheat would draw attention from this jewel!  Or maybe not!  Loving the orange and white!

FEATHERS! Oh MY

AND BEAD N STRINGS AND THINGS

de DIOR COLLAGE

The collage here displays Mr. Galiano's artistry and his no fear approach at mixing colors textures and the theatrics! Truly his trademark!

TERMINAL MELTDOWN VIA RODARTE


There is always a surprise up the Mulleavy sisters sleeves for us!  They never cease to amaze me and I was especially impressed with the 13 year old fashion protege Tavi they shared with us a few years ago.  This season proves again that they will never disappoint and here I present to you Nicholas Kirkwood's collaboration with them!  OK I'll let you in on a secret, its from the fall. But since only Rihanna would be caught dead in that and actually the only one able to carry it off in the fall, I give her kudos and share it with you for the spring!  Hey who knows you may find it on sale!!!

On our ReRe

ITS HIP TO D SQUARED

Good things come in pairs as you see with the sisters so lets go the brothers. Twins actually from Canada who have single handedly put Canada on the map! OR is that doublehanded in a good way due to the twin effect?  Well it doesn't matter!  We speak of Dean and Dan Caten originally Catenacci who hail from Toronto Canada. The identical twin duo design powerhouse called DSquared and Dsquared2   They are splendiferous and though out of my price range at the moment I have faith!

So last year they broke our backs with their (what I call) the spinal tap shoe! Everyone ran for these even Alica Keys in her prego state!



Goddess Alicia Keys' feet



 This I assume was Canada zen ing Versace Circa 80's!

I adore their clothes but this definitely reminded me of Versace in the 80's or something. And frankly I think it only works on desperate attention seeking people like the Khloe's of the world. And not all of us should try this at home.

See! Told ya! Do not try this at home.

 

Well what to do this year?!

Get feminine thats what and here are a few smashing examples:

Their Wedges From Dressy to Casual

                       

THE FEMININE

AND ULTRA FEMININE DONE RETRO

And there is still more!  I will have to do this is two parts!  And I still wouldn't have covered all the exciting footwear!  Stayed tuned my Lovies!!!!

Ernest Hemingway Marinades

The use of prepackaged mixes and marinades are not one I always fully endorsed but as it turns out not all are created equal. And I if I find a gem chances are I’m going to share it! As a Foodinista (God that ista this is so overdone) I love finding new ideas and flavors and I prefer to find it in a supermarket so that it can be easily obtained by all!

The brand is Ernest Hemingway Marinades and the particular one I overused is Kenya Lemon and White Wine. I can’t begin to tell you the ideas that kept coming up due to this marinade. So I have a few dishes I would like to share with you that were inspired from this humble bottle!

My husband hates vegetables. Indeed he thinks that he ate enough vegetables and now there is no need to keep up with the current movement of the healthy eater. I discovered that he will eat micro-greens salad. I guess they’re so tiny and frankly to me, so delicious he cant help himself! So the idea to pair them with seared scallops was quite exciting with this marinade.

The Scallops fresh from Fairways were marinated in the marinade for two hours with a wonderful bulb of shallots (my onion flavor for the Summer 2010). If you want a more intense flavor do it longer but be careful you may end up with a cevechie type effect so two would be the maximum for scallops. As usual an extremely hot pan and canola oil as it stands up to more intense heat and has a neutral flavor unlike olive oil.
Quickly sear each side less that 3 minutes on either side. Add the marinade to the frying pan after the scallops are done and cook until reduced. The shallots will caramelize sweet. Place the shallots on top of the micro greens and garnish with the reduction.

　
Another dish this marinade effortlessly complimented was a swordfish. I marinated it and broiled it with Sweet Vidalia onions. Basmati rice and a salad of Raddichio and Butterleaf lettuce. Lay the leaves flat on top of each other. Roll tightly and chiffonade. I only added fresh ground black pepper and a tad of oil more to the dressing.

Another simple quick and easy dish is to take jumbo or colossal shrimp and marinade them. Again fresh chopped shallots and fresh ground pepper with a dash of chili pepper flakes.  It's a quick and easy snack and a great appetizer.

Simple and easy these dishes can be made in less than half an hour for a quick and easy weekday meal or like the scallops and micro greens a beautiful first course for an elegant dinner party.
Elegant Eating!　
And you are welcome.