Ingredients

• 1-1/3  cups water
• 2/3  cup sugar
• 4  cups fresh strawberries, stems removed
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
•   Lemon Cream (see recipe below) (optional)

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine water and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; set syrup aside to cool while preparing fruit.

2. Place strawberries in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth; if necessary add about 1/3 cup of the syrup to help puree the berries. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Stir strawberry puree and lemon juice into the syrup.

3. Pour mixture into a 2-quart square baking dish. Cover and freeze mixture about 6 hours or until mixture is completely frozen, stirring after 2 hours and then after every hour.

4. Just before serving, break up mixture with a fork until fluffy. Spoon mixture into dessert dishes. If desired, serve with Lemon Cream. Makes about 5-1/2 cups.

Lemon Cream: In a medium chilled mixing bowl, beat 1/3 cup whipping cream, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon peel with an electric mixer on medium speed or with a whisk until soft peaks form (tips curl).

Triple-Berry Granita: Prepare as directed, except use 1-1/2 cups strawberries, 1-1/2 cups raspberries, and 1 cup blueberries instead of just strawberries.