Mixed Berry and Mint Granita

Serves 12 / This refreshing dessert can also be served as a slushy. Spoon into goblets and garnish with fresh lemon peel or mint sprigs for a partylike feel.

1 cup water

¾ cup natural cane sugar

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

6 cups blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries, in any combination, fresh or frozen and partly thawed

1. In a small saucepan, heat water and sugar to a simmer. Continue cooking until sugar dissolves and liquid is clear, about 5 minutes. (This mixture is called simple syrup.) Remove from heat. Refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.
2. Remove simple syrup from refrigerator. Stir in mint and lemon juice.
3. In a food processor, crush berries. Add simple-syrup mixture and combine thoroughly. Pour into a 9×13-inch glass dish. Cover and freeze 8 hours, until firm.
4. Remove from freezer; let stand 15 minutes. Scrape through entire mixture with a fork until fluffy. Serve.

PER SERVING: 65 cal, 4% fat cal, 0g fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg chol, 1g protein, 16g carb, 3g fiber, 1mg sodium