Here in the southern hemisphere, a reliable marker that  Christmas is just around the corner is the appearance of  big, beautiful bunches of grapes and boxes of cherries at the markets. With a searingly hot start to the summer with temperatures already in the 30’s we’ve been keeping grapes and cherries in the freezer for a refreshingly sweet and icy treat. Hugely moreish, these intensely sweet and fruity little sorbet bombs provide a virtually guilt free sugar fix. I can effortlessly nibble through a whole cup for a tiny 95 calories.

There’s no artificial flavourings or colourings. Just nature’s peak season whole fruit at it’s juiciest best. For a slightly more decadent smoothie effect, dip the frozen grapes and cherries in a little plain Greek yoghurt. Leave for a few moments as the icy fruit sets the yoghurt into a crisp shell, adding just 24 more calories to this delicious treat. Truly, this idea is so easy to prepare, it really doesn’t qualify as a recipe at all.

Frozen Grapes And Cherries
95 calories per cup serve (add 24 calories if yoghurt dipped)

1/2 cup (about 16) seedless red or green grapes (55 calories)
1/2 cup (about 10) dark red cherries with pit (40 calories)
2 tablespoons plain Greek yoghurt, for dipping (optional) (24 calories)

WASH grapes and cherries well before freezing.
DRAIN in a colander and/or salad spinner. Blot with paper towel to ensure the fruit is scrupulously dry for a better quality freeze.
ARRANGE fruit on a baking paper lined tray and place into the freezer to quick freeze. After 2-3 hours transfer grapes into ziplock  bags or containers and return to the freezer until ready to eat.
FOR A DELICIOUS VARIATION quickly dip frozen cherries and grapes into plain Greek style yoghurt and place on a sheet of non stick baking paper to set. This should take just minutes. If it’s  a particularly humid day place in the freezer for a few moments. Two tablespoons of yoghurt adds just 24 calories to this treat.