Cool Treat on a Hot Night..

One of the hard things about cutting back on sweets is that I am constantly thinking about the sweets I cannot have!  I mean, sometimes I have food on the brain for hours.  Not helpful while on the treadmill like a hamster on a wheel.  But, what I do try to have from time to time is what my kids like to call "fruit slushies".  I bought 4 pints of beautiful strawberries at the farmers market Saturday and when I got home I noticed that I picked particularly ripe ones.  Sensing they were at their peak I got out the blender and got to work.


Give yourself a few hours to let this freeze before you can have it.  Different freezers vary but this took me 2 hours.  It was perfect last night after a particularly long and sweaty workout at the gym.  This was nice to come home to :)

You may be wondering if this Strawberry Granita can be adapted for "adult consumption"?  Why yes, it can!  Not that I do this often ;) but feel free to throw in a few shots of your favorite clear beverage.  I use strawberry vodka and yes, it's good.  Just make sure you warn your guests to their kids will stay away from it.  I use different containers to mark the child friendly concoction.

This is so quick and easy.  I also make this with mixed berries, peaches, mangoes...many possibilities!

Strawberry Granita

1 C HOT water
3/4 C sugar (I also use Agave nectar)
2 TB lemon juice
3 C washed & sliced strawberries

Add strawberries to a blender and pulse a few times. Add the hot water to the sugar and juice in a small bowl, stir until dissolved.

Add the sugar water to the strawberries and puree until smooth and combined.

Add the mixture to a 13x9x2 non-stick pan, cover with plastic and freeze.  Every30 minutes or so make sure to scrape around from the sides with a fork.

Put the scraped granita in an airtight container.  Enjoy!!