Milk Chocolate Granita Food

CHOCOLATE NATILLAS WITH COFFEE-BEAN GRANITA

Steps:

• Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water.
• Pour 3 cups whole milk into heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring milk to simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from heat; cover and let steep 15 minutes. Whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup milk in medium bowl to blend. Sift cornstarch over; whisk until mixture is blended and smooth. Gradually whisk in warm milk mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Whisk mixture constantly over medium heat until custard boils, thickens, and is smooth, about 4 minutes. Discard vanilla bean. Whisk in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, then whisk in melted chocolate. Pour pudding through fine strainer into 4-cup measuring cup. Divide chocolate pudding among 8 goblets or dessert glasses (allow about 1/2 cup chocolate pudding for each glass). Cover puddings and refrigerate overnight.
• Top each serving with scoop of granita and serve.

MILK CHOCOLATE GRANITA

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, mix water and milk.
• Place over low heat, then add sugar to dissolve.
• When sugar is dissolved, add chocolate and cocoa.
• Pour into a baking dish or other wide, shallow container (the shallower the granita is in the dish, the faster it will freeze).
• Allow to cool slightly (at least until it is no longer steaming).
• Cover and freeze for one to two hours, until it is frozen at the edges. Scrape the ice with a fork, mixing it towards the center of the dish.
• Repeat every 20 to 30 minutes, until the granita is completely frozen (the texture should be somewhere between flaky and slushy).
• Keep frozen until ready to serve. If the granita becomes too solid before serving, allow to sit at room temperature until slightly softened, then use a fork to loosen.
• QUICK GRANITA METHOD: Freeze mixture into an ice cube tray; once solid, use a food processor or ice shaver to flake.

MOCHA GRANITA

Steps:

• Stir the coffee, milk, sugar and chocolate until well combined. Pour the mixture into a 8-by-8-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Freeze the granita until firm, stirring every 45 minutes, about 4 hours. Cover the baking dish and keep frozen. Before serving, scrape the surface of the granita with a fork until crystals form. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out the granita and serve.
• Cook's Note: This granita can be prepared 3 days ahead.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH POMEGRANATE GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups pomegranate juice and 1/4 cup sugar in 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Stir mixture until sugar dissolves. Cover and freeze until granita is firm, at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Combine remaining 2 cups pomegranate juice and 3 tablespoons sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves. Boil until mixture is syrupy and reduced to generous 1/2 cup, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer syrup to small bowl. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Granita and pomegranate syrup can be made 3 days ahead. Keep granita frozen. Keep pomegranate syrup chilled.
• Place chopped white chocolate and pinch of salt in medium metal bowl. Pour 1/2 cup cream into small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean and bring to boil, whisking to blend. Remove vanilla bean. Pour hot cream mixture over chocolate in bowl; let stand 1 minute, then whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Cool until barely lukewarm, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Using electric mixer, beat remaining 1/2 cup cream in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold in barely lukewarm melted chocolate mixture in 2 additions, then fold in crème fraîche. Divide mousse among 6 dessert glasses, leaving enough space at top of glasses to spoon granita over. Cover and chill until mixture firms up slightly, at least 8 hours or overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
• Using fork, scrape surface of granita, forming icy flakes. Top each glass of mousse with generous amount of granita, dividing equally. Drizzle each lightly with pomegranate syrup. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and serve immediately.