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.

　　

Ingredients

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

　　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)

　　

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.__