Coconut-Lime Shaved Ice

Recipe by Alison Ladman.

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• Zest of 2 limes
• Cream of coconut, to drizzle

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, water, lime juice and lime zest. Heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To use with shaved ice, drizzle a bit of the syrup over a cone or bowl of ice, then drizzle cream of coconut over the top.

Alternatively, to make granita, stir another 11/2 cups of water and 1/2 cup lime juice into the entire batch of chilled syrup. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch pan and freeze. Every 20 minutes, use a fork to scrape and stir the mixture until it is firm with small ice crystals. Gently fold and swirl 1/2 cup cream of coconut into the mixture, then scoop into bowls to serve.

Servings: 16.

Per serving: 90 calories; 1.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat; 17 percent calories from fat); 23 g carbohydrates; 0 mg cholesterol; 0 mg sodium; 0 g protein; 0 g fiber.