Strawberry Granita with Beaujolais

PreparationFor granita: Stir 1 cup water and sugar in small saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Cool syrup. Place halved strawberries, red wine, and cooled sugar syrup in processor and puree until smooth. Strain strawberry puree into 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal pan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard strawberry solids in strainer. Cover puree and freeze 1 hour. Using fork, stir granita, mashing any solid parts with back of fork. Freeze until firm, scraping mixture with fork every 30 minutes to form icy crystals. DO AHEAD: Granita can be made 3 days ahead. Keep covered and frozen. Garnishes: Mix sliced berries, wine, and sugar in medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature until sugar dissolves and juices form, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Divide sliced strawberry mixture among 8 wineglasses. Scrape granita with fork to loosen ice crystals. Divide granita among glasses. Garnish edge of each glass with 1 whole strawberry and serve. Ingredient tip:When shopping for strawberries, use your nose. Choose berries with a sweet, fragrant scent. A deep red color doesnÂ’t always equate to flavorful, juicy berries, but do avoid any with wilted leaves or white or green areas around the stem.

PreparationFor granita: Stir 1 cup water and sugar in small saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Cool syrup. Place halved strawberries, red wine, and cooled sugar syrup in processor and puree until smooth. Strain strawberry puree into 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal pan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard strawberry solids in strainer. Cover puree and freeze 1 hour. Using fork, stir granita, mashing any solid parts with back of fork. Freeze until firm, scraping mixture with fork every 30 minutes to form icy crystals. DO AHEAD: Granita can be made 3 days ahead. Keep covered and frozen. Garnishes: Mix sliced berries, wine, and sugar in medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature until sugar dissolves and juices form, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Divide sliced strawberry mixture among 8 wineglasses. Scrape granita with fork to loosen ice crystals. Divide granita among glasses. Garnish edge of each glass with 1 whole strawberry and serve. Ingredient tip:When shopping for strawberries, use your nose. Choose berries with a sweet, fragrant scent. A deep red color doesnÂ’t always equate to flavorful, juicy berries, but do avoid any with wilted leaves or white or green areas around the stem.