Summer Sweets

    Summer brings many sweet things our way – warm weather, outdoor activities, beach time, abundant produce and even more smiles. For me, summer is also a time I like to enjoy certain sweets like ice cream, berries and frozen desserts.

    You can create amazing sweets using ordinary ingredients and even come up with some healthier options.

    • Ice Cream Sandwiches: Pair fresh baked cookies with your favorite ice cream. Here’s an easy tip, purchase pint size ice cream, slice through the paper container using a sharp serrated knife to create ice cream rounds, remove the paper and place ice cream between two cookies. Wrap with aluminum foil and freeze.
    • Berry desserts such as strawberry short cakes, cobblers, plum upside down cake and fresh berries with whipped topping are great ways to enjoy seasonal fruits.

    Fruit Granita, a Granita is an Italian frozen dessert that has the texture of a snow cone. These refreshing desserts can be prepared with a variety of fruit ingredients making it a healthier alternative to heavier desserts. See tasty recipe below.

    Melon & Apple Granita

    This granita uses sweet ripe melon for flavor, apple juice instead of sugar and a touch of lime juice to perk up the flavors. Berries look beautiful on top; or if you can find fresh figs, add them. For a vibrant look, make with an orange-fleshed melon, such as cantaloupe, Charentais or orange honeydew.

    Make: 8 servings, about 3/4 cup granita & 1/4 cup fruit each

    Active Time: 10 minutes

    Total Time: 4 1/2 hours (including freezing time)

    Ingredients:

    • 4 cups cubed ripe melon
    • 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
    • 1/4 cup lime juice
    • 1 cup fresh blueberries
    • 1 cup fresh raspberries
    • Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

    Directions:

    1. Combine melon, apple juice and lime juice in a blender; puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch glass or metal pan.
    2. Place the pan on a level surface in your freezer. Freeze, stirring and scraping with a fork every 30 minutes, moving the frozen edges in toward the slushy center and crushing any lumps, until the granita is firm but not frozen solid, 3 to 4 hours.
    3. Remove from the freezer; use a metal spatula or large spoon to break up the frozen ice into small slivers. Pack into an airtight plastic container and freeze for at least 1 hour more.
    4. Remove from the freezer about 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Use a wide spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the granita into shallow bowls. Sprinkle blueberries and raspberries over each portion and garnish with mint leaves, if desired.

    Nutrition Per Serving : 66 Calories; 0 g Fat; 0 g Sat; 0 g Mono; 0 mg Cholesterol; 17 g Carbohydrates; 1 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 17 mg Sodium; 277 mg Potassium

    Recipe: Eatingwell.com