COFFEE GRANITA

Granita is a very popular Italian ice drink in the summer. It is usually crushed by hand overseas or made in a machine at your local espresso bar. Enjoy one anytime when you make the coffee ice cubes ahead of time. Simply add milk and blend.

    1 envelope unflavored gelatin
    1/2 cup water
    3/4 cup sugar
    1/3 cup freshly ground Kahlúa vanilla crème coffee beans
    3 cups water
    1 cup fat-free milk

1.  In a 1-quart glass measuring cup, mix the gelatin, 1/2 cup
     water and the sugar.

2.  Brew the ground coffee with the 3 cups water in a coffee
     maker just as you would for regular coffee.

3.  Stir the hot coffee into the dissolved gelatin.

4.  Pour into 2 ice cube trays; freeze overnight or until frozen.

5.  Process the frozen coffee cubes and milk in a blender for a
     few seconds. You may need to stir occasionally while blender
     is off. Cover and blend again. Add more milk if desired.

6.  Divide the drink between 4 glasses and serve with straws.

     Hint: May be topped with whipped cream and nutmeg.

     Makes 4 servings