Skip to main content

Pear-Cumin Granité

The warm richness of pear and the earthiness of cumin combine to create a new flavor that to me is the epitome of fall. This granité isn’t too sweet, so you could also serve it as a middle course of a big dinner, before the meat. You could substitute sparkling apple cider mixed with an equal amount of pear puree for the pear cider.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6 to 8 on it¿s own or 10 as part of fourplay

Ingredients

1 (750ml) bottle sparkling pear cider, such as Eric Bordelet Poiré Authentique or Granit
1 teaspoon powdered gelatin (or 4.5g sheet gelatin; see page 276)
2 tablespoons (30g) water
1 1/4 cups (250g) sugar
2 teaspoons (4g) freshly ground cumin (don’t grind it too fine)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Set up an ice bath in a large bowl.

    Step 2

    Pour about 3 tablespoons of the pear cider into a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the surface and let sit for at least 1 minute. Microwave for 45 seconds or heat gently in a saucepan until melted.

    Step 3

    Put the water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk in the gelatin and strain into a medium bowl. Gradually stir in the remaining cider and the cumin and set into the ice bath, stirring to chill quickly.

    Step 4

    Pour into a baking dish and freeze for at least 8 hours.

    Step 5

    To serve, scrape across the top of the granité with a fork to make small crystals.

Reprinted with permission from Dessert Fourplay: Sweet Quartets from a Four-Star Pastry Chef by Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore. Copyright © 2008 by Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore. Published by Crown Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Johnny Iuzzini,, executive pastry chef of the world-renowned Jean Georges restaurant in New York City, won the award for Outstanding Pastry Chef from the James Beard Foundation in 2006. This is his first book. Roy Finamore, a publishing veteran of more than thirty years, has worked with many bestselling cookbook authors. He is the author of three books: One Potato, Two Potato; Tasty, which won a James Beard Foundation award; and Fish Without a Doubt.__
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.