Frozen Fruit Popsicles
Welcome back to another episode of Simply Playful Fare. As we approach the hot days of summer, we thought we would share a healthy and refreshing way to stay cool. Remember when you were younger, and there were still ice cream trucks? Those days were awesome. I always liked getting a nice popsicle. Something about the fruit flavors and, well, the cold just made the heat more tolerable.
You can always buy fruit popsicles at the store, but it’s much cheaper and healthier to make your own. If you make your own, you have complete control over what is going in to them. Also, you can sweeten them with natural fruit sugars, as opposed to the corn syrup that most companies use. The only specialized hardware you need is a popsicle mold. I picked mine up for about five bucks.
We have two recipes for you this week. The ingredients are different, but the process is the same. Let’s start with the first one.
Watermelon-Basil Popsicles
Ingredients:
½ of a small, seedless watermelon
¼ can of diet 7up (You can substitute club soda if you prefer)
7 basil leaves
Pinch of salt
The Process:
1.) Spoon out the watermelon in to a blender. Add the diet 7up and salt. Puree it to a smooth liquid.
2.) Cut the basil leaves in to small ribbons. Add them to the blender and pulse until they are incorporated.
3.) Pour the mixture in to your molds. You can use the plastic sticks that come with the mold, but I prefer to put a piece of foil over the top. Then you can cut a small slit in the foil and insert Popsicle sticks.
4.) Freeze them solid. It will take a few hours. Remove them from the mold and place in plastic bags or just serve them. This recipe made eight popsicles in the molds I used.
Cantaloupe and Cracked Pepper with Mint Popsicles
Ingredients:
½ of a Cantaloupe, seeds removed.
½ cup seltzer water (I had orange, so I used it)
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon honey
8 fresh mint leaves
The Process:
1.) Spoon the cantaloupe in to a blender. Add the seltzer water and puree. Once it is smooth, add the honey and puree for about five seconds.
2.) Add the black pepper and puree again, just until it is all incorporated.
3.) Cut the mint leaves in to small strips and add to the blender. Turn on the blender until the mint is incorporated in small pieces.
4.) Pour the mixture in to your molds. You can use the plastic sticks that come with the mold, but I prefer to put a piece of foil over the top. Then you can cut a small slit in the foil and insert popsicle sticks.
5.) Freeze them solid. It will take a few hours. Remove them from the mold and place in plastic bags or just serve them. This recipe made eight popsicles in the molds I used.
That’s all there is to making some of the tastiest popsicles you will ever have. Also, they are basically frozen fruit, so they are quite healthy. Give these to your kids and you won’t have to worry about them not getting enough servings of fruit.
What’s your favorite popsicle flavor?
Tune in next week for more tasty recipes. Until then, stay healthy!
These look so refreshing…and healthy! Thanks for the recipes.
Thanks Grace!