Recipe: Shaved ice with apricot syrup, apple grape syrup or cafe con leche syrup

RASPADO DE CHABACANO (APRICOT SYRUP FOR SHAVED ICE)

Makes about 1 quart (8 to 10 servings).

Note: If you do not have an ice shaver, pour syrup into a metal baking pan and put in freezer. Each hour or so, stir frozen bits and liquid with a sturdy fork, until there is a mix of fine and large ice crystals. If mixture freezes solid, leave at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrape and stir again. This is an easy-to-make syrup for a shaved ice dessert. Adapted from "My Sweet Mexico," by Fany Gerson, to be published this fall.

• 2 lb. ripe apricots or peaches

• 1 c. sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice.

Cut apricots into quarters, discarding pits; do not remove peels. Combine in a pot with sugar and 11/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, turn heat to low and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, until tender.

Let cool at least 30 minutes, then purée in a blender, in batches if needed. Add salt and lime juice and blend until smooth. Strain and discard solids, and refrigerate syrup until completely chilled, at least 2 hours.

Pour about 1/2 cup syrup over 1 cup shaved ice. Or, freeze syrup into cubes or a block, then put through the shaver.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories148Fat0 gSodium38 mg

Protein1 gCholesterol0 mgDietary fiber2 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 fruit, 1 1/2 other carb.

APPLE GRAPE SYRUP FOR SHAVED ICE

Makes about 1 quart (8 to 10 servings).

Note: If you do not have an ice shaver, pour syrup into a metal baking pan and put in freezer. Each hour or so, stir frozen bits and liquid with a sturdy fork, until there is a mix of fine and large ice crystals. If mixture freezes solid, leave at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrape and stir again. This is like an orchard in a cup. Adapted from Daniel Holzman of the Meatball Shop in New York City.

• 1/2 c. grape juice, preferably red

• 1 c. unsweetened apple juice or cider

• 3/4 c. freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions

Combine sugar and 11/2 cups water in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often to dissolve sugar. Pour into bowl, cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. When cold, mix in grape juice, apple juice and lime juice, and refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 2 hours. Pour about 1/2 cup syrup over 1 cup shaved ice. Or, freeze syrup into cubes or a block, then put through the shaver.

Calories174Fat0 gSodium2 mg

Carbohydrates45 gSaturated fat0 gCalcium7 mg

Protein0 gCholesterol0 mgDietary fiber0 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 fruit, 2 1/2 other carb.

CAFE CON LECHE SYRUP FOR SHAVED ICE

Note: If you do not have an ice shaver, pour syrup into a metal baking pan and put in freezer. Each hour or so, stir frozen bits and liquid with a sturdy fork, until there is a mix of fine and large ice crystals. If mixture freezes solid, leave at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrape and stir again. This is like very iced coffee. Adapted from Daniel Holzman of the Meatball Shop in New York City.

• 1/2 c. sugar

• 1/3 c. instant espresso granules

• 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk.

Directions

Pour about 1/2 cup syrup over 1 cup shaved ice. Or, freeze syrup into cubes or a block, then put through the shaver.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories212Fat4 gSodium64 mg

Carbohydrates41 gSaturated fat3 gCalcium144 mg

Protein4 gCholesterol17 mgDietary fiber0 g