Green mint granita

This wonderfully aromatic water ice is delicious after spicy dishes as a palate cleanser or as a refreshing slushy drink on a hot day. Or serve it as an after-dinner frappé.

* Makes about 1 1/4 pints

• 1 1/2 cups (12 fl oz) boiling water
• 8 sprigs fresh mint (preferably picked early in the day or used immediately after buying)
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1 1/2 cups ice water
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• green food coloring (optional)
• mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

Pour the boiling water onto the mint sprigs and sugar in a bowl and let cool, stirring occasionally. Add the ice water and chill.

Strain the liquid into a freezer container and stir in the chopped mint (add a few drops of green food coloring if you wish). Freeze until partly frozen, then stir with a fork to break into crystals. Return to the freezer and refreeze until almost firm. Remove and stir with a fork to break into nice, even crystals.

Serve in iced tall glasses, with more sprigs of mint if desired.

Variations:

• Crème de menthe frappé

Prepare the basic recipe, and serve in tiny iced glasses, with crème de menthe poured on top at the last minute, as an after-dinner liqueur water ice.

• Mint & orange granita

Prepare the basic recipe, stirring in 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest. Serve in orange shells.

• Mint & chocolate granita cups

Prepare the basic recipe, stirring in 1/4 cup finely grated white chocolate. Serve in small dark chocolate cups.

• Pineapple mint granita

Prepare the basic recipe, using pineapple mint. Serve scooped onto thick slices of sweet pineapple.

• Crunchy peppermint ice

Prepare the basic recipe, stirring in 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy before starting to freeze.