Orange-Mint Granita with Candied Kumquats

Name: Orange-Mint Granita with Candied Kumquats
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT5H30M0.000S
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups fresh orange juice; 1/2 cup honey; 2 tablespoons grated orange zest; 3 sprigs fresh mint; 1 cup turbinado sugar; 2 cups kumquats, halved

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Level: Easy

Total: 5 hr 30 min (includes cooling and freezing times)
Active: 30 min

Yield: 6 servings

Wow your guests with this simple and refreshing make-ahead dessert. The orange juice granita is perfectly sweetened with honey and fresh mint adds an herbal background note. A topping of quick-candied kumquats brings a bright pop of color and crunch to this elegant dish.

Level: Easy

Total: 5 hr 30 min (includes cooling and freezing times)
Active: 30 min

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

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Granita:

4 cups fresh orange juice

1/2 cup honey

2 tablespoons grated orange zest

3 sprigs fresh mint

Candied Kumquats:

1 cup turbinado sugar

2 cups kumquats, halved

Directions

For the granita: Add the orange juice, honey, orange zest and 1/2 cup water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; remove from the heat. Add the mint and let steep until the mixture cools to room temperature, about 1 hour.
Discard the mint. Transfer the orange juice mixture to a 9-inch square baking dish and place in the freezer. Freeze until solid, about 4 hours.
For the candied kumquats: Bring the sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the kumquats, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the kumquats to a fine-mesh sieve, allowing the simple syrup to drain back into the saucepan. Continue to simmer the syrup until reduced by about a third, about 5 minutes. Let cool, then transfer the simple syrup to an airtight container and return the kumquats to the syrup.
When ready to serve, continually scrape the surface of the granita with a fork to fluff. Serve the granita in chilled small glasses or bowls and garnish with the candied kumquats.