• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Helen
    • About Helen
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Virtual Baking Classes
  • My Books
    • Baking as a Business
    • The New Pastry Cook
  • Recipe List
  • Baking Information
    • Baking Information Index
  • Follow Helen
  • Subscribe

Pastries Like a Pro logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Baking Classes
  • About Helen
  • Subscribe
  • September - Getting Ready for Fall
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Baking Classes
    • About Helen
    • Subscribe
    • September - Getting Ready for Fall
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home > ice cream & frozen desserts

    Published: Aug 31, 2018 by Helen S Fletcher · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper Granita

    Strawberry Granita

    Ummm, frozen strawberries on a hot summers day. What could be more comforting? How about an easy strawberry granita with a bit of black pepper and balsamic vinegar to add a bit of zip to it.

    The use of white balsamic vinegar as opposed to the normal dark is to keep the strawberries a vibrant red. The main difference between the white and dark balsamic vinegars is the grapes used and the amount of aging. Italians have been making balsamic vinegar for a thousand years. Balsamic vinegar is sweeter than the more robust vinegars. Some dark balsamic vinegars are aged up to 100 years in different barrels for a complexity of taste. However,  these balsamics are very expensive, just like a fine wine and are used as a finishing vinegar and not as an ingredient. All dark balsamics are thicker and sweeter than the white balsamic which can be aged in barrels or stainless steel tanks for a shorter amount of time. The white is usually used when you don't want to discolor the food with which it is being used as would dark balsamic vinegar.

    Granita is an Italian specialty and is simply an ice that is scraped with a fork to fluff it up and make it melt in your mouth. Any fruit such as nectarines, pineapple or peaches can be substituted for the strawberries. Just make sure the fruit is good and ripe for the best taste.

    how to bake better custard
    Baking gets better when you subscribe

    Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.

    The use of black pepper with strawberries has become a classic and enhances the taste of the strawberry.

    This recipe was originally posted from my TV series in 2015.  It is the perfect finish for the last summer holiday dinner.

    Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper Granita
    ⅔ cup water
    ⅔ cup sugar (130 grams or 4 ½ ounces)
    2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
    ¾ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
    4 cups sliced strawberries

    Combine the water and sugar in a small pan. Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Add the vinegar and black pepper. Cool.

    Place the sugar syrup and strawberries in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a 9x9 inch square pan, preferably glass. Freeze for several hours until it's about ¾ frozen. Scrape with a fork to fluff it up.

    Store in the freezer.

    Yield: 1 quart

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    More Ice Cream

    • Individual Island Baked Alaska
      Individual Island Baked Alaska
    • No Churn Peach Swirl Ice Cream
      No Churn Peach Swirl Ice Cream
    • Caramel Cone Ice Cream
      Caramel Cone Ice Cream ala Häagen-Dazs®
    • This Riene de Saba cake features 2 layers of chocolate cake with a mousse like filling, topped with candied cranberries
      Reine de Saba Cake with Candied Cranberries

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Manisha says

      July 08, 2015 at 11:54 pm

      Strawberries, black pepper and balsamic are such a lovey combination! Will try this recipe when strawberries will be available. It means during our winter season which is few months away :)

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        July 09, 2015 at 9:34 am

        Hi Manisha - This is one of my very most favorite flavor combinations. Have used it in a Strawberry jam that is used with Grilled chicken and served as a salad with greens tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette. It was popular at the retail store.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Helen! Being a self-taught baker and owning a bakery for over 25 years, I found many ways to make baking more successful and less intimidating. Even busy people can bake as in many cases, recipes can be done over days. The goal is to make your baking life easier, more enjoyable, with great outcomes on a consistent basis.

    More about me →

    SEPTEMBER - GETTING READY FOR FALL

    • Five Mexican sweet rolls, Conchas with different toppings.
      Conchas - A Mexican Sweet Bread
    • Finished cut
      Italian Calzones
    • Cinnamon Whiskey Apple Tart
      Cinnamon Whiskey Apple Tart
    • Mincemeat
      Time to Make Mincemeat
    • Apple Cake Doughnuts on a plate with a napkin in the background.
      Apple Cake Doughnuts
    • Stuffed Focaccia

    Subscribe to receive our free ebook

    SUBSCRIBE

    Popular Recipes

    • Strawberry Muffins
      Best of All Strawberry Muffins
    • A slice of chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse glazed in chocolate on a marble plate
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Cake
    • Individual Meringue
      Meringue Shells
    • A slice of Tourte Milanese sits on a plate exposing its dramatic yellow, green, red and pink layers.
      Tourte Milanese
    • Magic Shell
      Magic Shell for Ice Cream
    • finished-lemon-blueberry-cake.jpeg
      Lemon Blueberry Cake

    Available Now

    Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, as well as other sites and in book stores.
    AUTOGRAPHED COPIES ARE AVAILABLE
    Click here to purchase an autographed copy.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Helen

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Flickr
    • Instagram

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 PASTRIES LIKE A PRO