Recipe: Frosty Fruit Freeze (fruit-sweetened iced tea or slush using mint and green teas)

FROSTY FRUIT FREEZE

To give sweetened iced tea a better nutrition content, try smoothies to maximize the health benefits of tea and fruit. The Frosty Fruit Freeze below can be served as an almost spoonable slush. Or, let it melt slightly and you have icy-cold fruited tea. A combination of green and mint teas, frozen melon cubes and mandarin oranges, this fruit freeze contains all the fiber and nutrients in the fruit. When the temperature and humidity spike, it is even more refreshing than simple iced tea.

1 (11 oz.) can mandarin orange sections in light syrup
2 cups cubed honeydew melon
2 decaffeinated green tea bags
1 herbal mint tea bag
4 sprigs of fresh mint, for garnish (optional)

Place oranges with their liquid into a resealable plastic bag and freeze so that the bag lays flat. Spread melon cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. If not using within 12 hours, transfer frozen melon to a resealable plastic bag.

Place green and mint tea bags in a heatproof container. Pour in 2 cups boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing to release excess tea into the container. Refrigerate the tea until cold.

Pour chilled tea into a blender. Break up frozen oranges into chunks and add. Pur e mixture. Add frozen melon and blend in to a fine slush.

Divide among 4 glasses, garnish with mint if using and serve.

Makes 4 servings
Per serving: 79 calories, 0 g. total fat (0 g. saturated fat), 21 g. carbohydrate, less than 1 g. protein, 1 g. dietary fiber, 21 mg. sodium.

Source: Dana Jacobi
The American Institute for Cancer Research