It’s winter and most of you have been caught up in a blanket of snow, so I decided to give you teeth-clattering, mitten-donning, snow day-offers some more cold with this Strawberry and Jasmine Tea Granita. I know, it makes no sense. But you know the rule here—no promises of any sort, especially sensibility.
I will say two things though: (1) strawberry season is just barely starting here in Southern California– so I got overexcited (2) this is actually a recipe shot for a magazine.
The upside: the recipe is great. I love how the tea notes come through with a quiet subtleness that compliments the strawberries to keep you spooning for more. The downside and failing number one for the week: the magazine asked for a reshoot. The original photos were too spare in styling, the pictures you see here are the reshoots (still waiting to hear if they like it). I’ll say this, granita is a pain to shoot, it melts crazy fast and being bright red—when it melts it looks like raw ground beef, gross.
Failing number two for the week: My little guy’s birthday is tomorrow. February 26th. As usual, I’m scrambling to get my end of things all together, while Matt is done with his. I’m so envious how he is like a machine that delivers with precision and timeliness. While I on the other hand scrawl things to do on my hands and on Post-it notes scattered throughout the house. But hey, I can make killer french toast, so it all balances out.
As I was saying . . . failing #2 for the week and I mentioned Cole’s birthday is the 26th. Somehow his teacher has it down as the 27th and my poor 1st grader came home nearly in tears saying the teachers told him he had his own birthday wrong.
Well after an email from Matt to the teacher to correct the folly, he was informed the original enrolling paperwork indicates the 27th for the date of birth, not the 26th. The signature on the paperwork—signed by yours truly. Gulp!
Details – stuff for the birds! Mom failings – guilt that keeps you up at night.
The recipe is coming. Sorry, guys, I have to wait for the magazine to either publish it first. Or if they decline it, than I’m free to post it here in a few short days. Sure, I probably should have posted something else and maybe not share all the backstory on this since it may be declined, but as I previously mentioned – sensibility can be spotty here.
Strawberry and Jasmine Tea Granita
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tbsp. loose jasmine tea
- zest of one lime
- 1 1/2 pounds (2 pints) strawberries, hulled and halved
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Bring water, sugar and jasmine tea to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook, stirring, one minute. Add lime zest; let cool completely and strain syrup. Set aside.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a bakesheet with parchment paper. Whisk together strawberries and honey. Add in strawberries and toss to coat. Spread the strawberries in a single layer on prepared bake sheet. Roast until strawberries are softened and juices are bubbling, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool. Once cooled puree roasted strawberries with tea syrup.
- Pour mixture into a 9" x 13" pan . Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer. Using the tines of a fork, stir the mixture every 30 minutes, scraping edges and breaking up any ice chunks as the mixture freezes, until granita is slushy and frozen, about 3 hours. Scoop into chilled serving glasses with chilled teaspoons.
Sending you some good old fashioned British cheer. Chin up as we say, well nobody really says that but the sentiment is right. I adore the photograph with the blue crockery and as a lady with a cupboard with those beautiful floral plates in your first picture, I’d say they’d be mad not to publish it 😉 xx
It looks delicious. The pictures are great and I am waiting the recipe to try it.
Anyone (including a big-shot magazine) who doesn’t like those photos is crazy!! I absolutely adore the beautiful coloured plates. Fabulous!
That leadoff photo is perhaps the most gorg photo I’ve seen on your site in ages, or ever. I LOVE IT!!!!!!! If the magazine doesnt like it, they.are.blind. OMG I love the colors, the styling, the turquoise planked board, the gold spoons, all the colors tie in and are so vibrant yet not ‘bright’ in a whoa way. I loooove it!
And the bday thing, well, hugs 🙂
I think they need their eye checked because this anywhere in Australia would be considered marvelous!
This is fabulously gorgeous x 1 billion Naomi! As much as I would love the recipe RIGHT NOW, I will happily just sit here and stare at these photos until it appears!
That is so sad about the bday! Poor little guy! 🙁
Love the photos & can’t wait for the recipe! Where did you get the gorgeous floral plate from? I’ve been looking for salad/dessert plates to use with my white dishes & these ones are right up my alley! Happy bday to the little one – hope he has a great day!
We just started getting strawberries from Florida (I think) and I’m so happy they’ve returned. This granita looks so wonderful! So refreshing… which is exactly what I’ll want come July. Right now, pass me the bourbon. Or would it be ok to pour some bourbon on top of this? I’m going to say yes.
I fall in the category of the least organized person ever. I try my hardest, but it never seems to go the way I imagined it. This frozen dessert reminds me of warmer weather, which is nice considering it’s snowing outside. Love your photos!
Gotta hate those re-shoots. But this looks great girl!
I love the original, I think it’s bright and cheery, makes me think of hot summer days and a cool granita would be a refreshing treat. It’s funny how we see things and others aren’t getting what we mean. And we all mess up as parents, high five on getting the month right and in the same week 🙂
They are CRAZY! These photos are beautiful and the love the fun summer colors! If they do not except these that are missing out. And just stupid! 🙂
Very excited for the recipe and Happy Birthday to Cole!
This is so pretty! Definitely doesn’t look like ground beef to me, lol…they should accept these – they’re gorgeous!!
This is just lovely Marla! Love your colorful happy photos 🙂
They are all so beautiful, but that first photo is my favorite and has signature Naomi stunning written all over it. And just keep making that french toast, because that’s what your little guy will remember 🙂
The photos are absolutely gorgeous as always. Can’t wait for the recipe Naomi 🙂
You have me craving spring and summer with these vibrant colors and flavors! 🙂
Wow…these photos are absolutely gorgeous! Looks picture perfect, and makes me dream of warmer temperatures as I sit here in freezing (literally below 0 degree weather) in Wisconsin!
This looks so refreshing. MOVE OUT OF THE WAY winter!
I LOVE that first photo especially and think it’s absolutely gorgeous and hands-down magazine quality! I wish you had posted the declined shots too, because I’m sure they’re gorgeous as well and I would have loved to just see the progression of your styling process. Happy Birthday to your little guy and seriously don’t be too hard on yourself; a person can only do so much and you’re super accomplished with all you do here!
Wow, such beautiful photos! Sorry you’ve had such stress the past couple of days! Looking forward to the recipe 🙂
Stunning photos, and love the flavor combo!
Your photos are gorgeous and I can’t wait to see the recipe!
Your photography is beautiful. So fresh and bright!
i adore these photos and these plates. making me feel very summery! x
Magazine, shmagazine… This is an absolutely beautiful granita with amazing flavors!
Happy Birthday to the little guy! My daughter’s name is Ana, but at the doctor’s office they had her down as Anal … yes, anal… and my signature was at the bottom of the document. #momfail ;-D
Lovely styling and photography here. I hope the magazine accepts :)!
Arctic Dream Refrigeration, granita machines, ice makers, undercounter fridges, display fridges etc, this quality equipment is manufactured in Europe to cope with the harsh Australian climate.