Melon-Hibiscus Gelato

Beat sugar and eggs as directed in Step 2. Omit melon, orange peel (if desired), and hibiscus flowers; replace coconut milk with whole milk; and add 2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder or instant coffee crystals to milk mixture. Continue as directed in Steps 4 through 6, except add an additional 1-1/2 cups whole milk in place of the melon juice. Freeze mixture as directed in Step 7, except once the gelato is almost thick, drizzle in 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping and continue to freeze. Nutrition Analysis per serving: 166 calories, 4 g protein, 20 g carbohydrate, 8 g total fat (5 g sat. fat), 92 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 20 g sugar, 8% Vitamin A, 0% Vitamin C, 129 mg sodium, 10% calcium, 1% iron

Prepare as directed, except omit hibiscus flowers and substitute one 16-ounce package (3 cups) frozen pitted dark sweet cherries, thawed, for the melon, blending or processing until smooth as directed. If desired, add 2/3 cup toasted slivered almonds just before freezing.Nutrition Analysis per serving: 167 calories, 3 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate, 10 g total fat (6 g sat. fat), 88 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 11% Vitamin A, 1% Vitamin C, 103 mg sodium, 6% calcium, 3% iron

If desired for the watermelon version, stir in 6 drops of red food coloring.

Ripening homemade gelato improves the texture and helps to keep it from melting too quickly during eating. To ripen in a traditional-style ice cream freezer, after churning, remove the lid and dasher and cover the top of the freezer can with waxed paper or foil. Plug the hole in the lid with a small piece of cloth; replace the lid. Pack the outer freezer bucket with enough ice and rock salt to cover the top of the freezer can (use 1 cup salt for each 4 cups ice). Ripen about 4 hours. When using an ice cream freezer with an insulated freezer bowl, transfer the ice cream to a covered freezer container and ripen by freezing in your regular freezer about 4 hours (or check the manufacturer's recommendations).