Recipe: Green tea granita

Green tea granita

Total time: 20 minutes, plus freezing time

Servings: 4 to 6

1 quart water

Juice of 1 lemon

1/2 cup sugar

4 tea bags of unsweetened and unflavored green tea

2 sprigs mint, crushed

1/2 teaspoon crushed pink peppercorns, optional

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, lemon juice and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then remove from heat.

2. Add the tea bags and mint to the pan and steep the tea for 3 minutes.

3. After 5 minutes, strain the mixture into a large baking dish. Set aside until cool. This makes a generous 3 cups base.

4. Stir in the crushed pink peppercorns, if using. Freeze, stirring every half-hour or so until the granita is frozen. To serve, shave the granita, raking the tines of a fork across the surface to break up the crystals. Serve immediately.

Each of 6 servings: 67 calories; 0 protein; 17 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 0 fat; 0 cholesterol; 17 grams sugar; 0 sodium.