Chocolate Granita

Photo: flickr user carabou

Ingredients

cup sugar

2 cups water

1 vanilla bean split lengthwise

7 ounces bittersweet chocolate finely chopped

2 tablespoons cocoa

cup whipping cream or creme fraiche

Preparation

Heat the sugar, water and vanilla bean in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 10 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the chocolate and cocoa, stirring until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the vanilla bean.

Pour the mixture into a shallow baking dish and freeze until solid, several hours or overnight.

Whip the cream or creme fraiche to soft peaks. Spoon or scoop the granita into dessert or parfait glasses and top with whipped cream or creme fraiche.

This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.