Pineapple Granita

Preparation Place the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves into a clear liquid (simple sugar). Set aside to cool. Cut the pineapple into chunks, discarding the skin and core. Put some pineapple and some simple syrup in a blender or food processor and puree. Repeat until you've pureed all the pineapple and syrup. Pour into an 8- or 9-inch baking pan and freeze partway, stirring occasionally (so it doesn't become too solid to dish up). Scoop the partially frozen mixture into a tub or compote dishes to freeze up completely; it should be somewhat granular and scrape off the pan in long strips with the spoon. Serve garnished with the berries and the mint. Reprinted with permission from Brini Maxwell's Guide to Gracious Living by Brini Maxwell. © 2005 Stewart, Tabori, & Chang

Preparation Place the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves into a clear liquid (simple sugar). Set aside to cool. Cut the pineapple into chunks, discarding the skin and core. Put some pineapple and some simple syrup in a blender or food processor and puree. Repeat until you've pureed all the pineapple and syrup. Pour into an 8- or 9-inch baking pan and freeze partway, stirring occasionally (so it doesn't become too solid to dish up). Scoop the partially frozen mixture into a tub or compote dishes to freeze up completely; it should be somewhat granular and scrape off the pan in long strips with the spoon. Serve garnished with the berries and the mint. Reprinted with permission from Brini Maxwell's Guide to Gracious Living by Brini Maxwell. © 2005 Stewart, Tabori, & Chang