Passion fruit water ice

Astringent passion fruit makes a delightfuly refreshing water ice.

* Makes about 1 1/4 pints

• 12 ripe passion fruit
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1 tbsp. orange juice
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Scoop out all the fruit pulp and juice and strain into a bowl to remove the black seeds. Stir in the water, sugar, and juices. Chill for about 30 minutes while the sugar dissolves. Stir occasionally.

Pour the mixture into a freezer container and freeze until almost firm, stirring and breaking up into crystals once or twice.

When ready to serve, break up the water ice with a fork until it has a granular consistency. Serve with panna cotta or crème brulée and a little fresh passion fruit juice poured over at the last moment.

Variations:

• Passion fruit & cape gooseberry water ice

Prepare the basic granita, replacing half the passion fruit with 1 cup ripe cape gooseberries (physalis), crushed and puréed.

• Passion fruit & melon water ice

Prepare the basic recipe, replacing half the passion fruit with 1 cup cantaloupe melon purée.

• Passion fruit & mango water ice

Prepare the basic recipe, replacing half the passion fruit with 1 cup mango purée.

• Passion fruit & rum water ice

Prepare the basic recipe, replacing the fruit juice with 3 to 4 tablespoons light rum.

• Passion fruit & orange water ice

Prepare the basic recipe, replacing half the water with orange juice.