There can be nothing more satisfying on a hot summer’s day than an ice cream or a water ice made with fresh fruit or fresh fruit juice.   One can prepare the same recipe with peeled peaches or apricots, using brandy or a bitter almond liqueur.

                             FROZEN STRAWBERRY YOGURT

500 g (1 lb 5oz) fresh, ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced

125 g (4oz + 1tbsp) caster sugar or more, if preferred

1 liqueur glass good quality brandy or orange-flavoured liqueur

2 tbsp orange juice

A few drops of lemon juice to accentuate the taste

A pinch of salt

250 g (8 1/3 oz) thick yogurt

          Place the strawberries in a large bowl, sprinkle with sugar, alcohol, the fruit juices and salt, cover with cling film and refrigerate for 2 hours, at least.    Then blend the strawberries, taste and add more sugar, if necessary, and blend once more.  Combine the fruit pulp with the yogurt and mix very well together.

         The easiest way to freeze the strawberry yogurt is in an electric ice cream machine.  Alternatively freeze it in a covered ice cream tray, and when half frozen, beat well and quickly return it to the freezer.  Repeat the procedure 3-4 times more.

(Serves 6)

                                   PEACH WATER ICE

240 ml (1 cup) peach pulp

480 ml (2 cups) water

180 ml (1 cup – 1 tbsp) caster sugar

1 tsp lemon juice

A pinch of salt

         Heat the water, add the sugar and salt and stir until the sugar melts.     Remove from the fire and set aside to cool.   Then add the lemon juice and the peach pulp to the syrup and mix well together.   Freeze according to the instructions given above.

        Serve the water ice in tall glasses, garnished with sprigs of mint.