Monday, July 26, 2010

Have a Happy Heat Wave . . . with Mango Strawberry Popsicles!


Popsicles sure have come a long way since I was a kid. (And I'm using the term "popsicle" in its generic sense here, just so we're clear.) Back then, the choices were awfully limited. We had orange, grape, and red (what flavor was that red one attempting to emulate anyway--cherry? raspberry? strawberry? . . . no way to  tell). Yeah, they were sweet, colored, ice hunks on a stick. 

At the time, I thought they were darn good. I had no standards, no point of comparison. I wasn't the kind of kid to turn down any cold treat on a hot summer day. I was ignorant, thus blissful. A popsicle was a popsicle was a popsicle. After all, in the 1960's there was nothing available that even approached the vast array of interesting stock one finds these days in the freezer case of any local market. So what did I know?



Of course, these days, we're virtually adrift in frozen novelties. (And, speaking of which, don't you just love that phrase?  It's so whimsically vague. It implies all sorts of magical possibilities, cast in ice. I wonder what hard-drinkin', cig-smokin' salesman came up with that. Whoever he was, I'll bet he ate a lot of 'em.) The choices can be dizzying. I say, if you can't decide, head for the fruitiest bars you can find. Or, better yet, make your own.


I can't honestly recall the first time I tasted a frozen bar that seemed as if it was comprised more from fruit than it was from sugar water, but it must have been a revelation to me. Popsicles laden with real fruit are in a class by themselves. They cost more, for one thing. They're usually far, far prettier than their more insipid counterparts, and they appeal to kids and adults alike. I mean, who could turn their nose up at a fresh, brightly constructed popsicle that's been packed with fruit? Well, no one, that's who.


This super simple recipe satisfies the urge for an icy treat that's low in calories and only as sweet as you want to make it. I built it quickly using strawberries, a couple of perfectly ripe mangoes, a little Greek style yogurt, and clover honey. That's it--so easy! Haul out your popsicle mold (I bought mine here), or just use plastic cups, get yourself some wooden craft sticks, and go to town! 


Homemade Mango Strawberry Popsicles 

(For a printable version of this recipe, click here!)

 Have your popsicle molds, and the wooden sticks, ready and standing by. This recipe makes up to about four cups worth of liquid to pour into them. My popsicle mold makes 10 standard size pops.

2 medium size mangoes, completely ripe but not too soft; peeled, cut off the pit, and cut into medium-size chunks (about 2 cups of pieces)
1 cup clean strawberry pieces, halved
3/4 cup clean strawberry pieces, chopped into small pieces
honey, to taste (I used 4 Tbsp. of typical clover honey)
1/4 cup Greek style yogurt (I used the higher fat type; use low, though, if you prefer)

In the large bowl of your food processor, puree all of the mango and the 1 cup of halved strawberry pieces until quite smooth and free of large lumps.



Add in the yogurt, and pulse for a moment just to combine. Add in the honey to taste; add as much as you prefer to get the desired sweetness. 


Pour the mixture into the molds, scattering in pieces of the small-chopped strawberries as you pour so they'll be distributed throughout each bar. 


Put the sticks in (the wooden sticks for my mold have to be soaked in water for an hour prior to being stuck into the popsicle liquid; my mold has a loose metal lid and the sticks go through tight slots, as shown), and freeze for at least one hour, until completely solid.



To get the frozen pops out of my mold, I run it under warm water for several seconds, remove the metal top, and then firmly pull up on the sticks. It works pretty well.







And voila! Enjoy!

(If you'd like to comment on this post, or to read any existing comments, just click on the purple COMMENTS below!)

16 comments:

Charisse said...

I have totally been craving Popsicles these days! Now you have got my mouth watering!

Jane @ Sweet Basil Kitchen said...

Alright...first your name got my attention (!), but then I read your post and I want a popsicle holder thingy like you have! I have mangos ready to eat and strawberries in the fridge!! Yeah!

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

I'm not a big popsicle fan but yours look like they are flavorful and actually good for you. I'm adding this popsicle mold on my shopping list. This would be a lovely after school treat for my kids!

scrambledhenfruit said...

I love your popsicle mold and your pops! My favorite flavor of those mysteriously colored novelties of our youth were the yellow banana ones. Your strawberry mango combination sounds delicious, especially in this stinkin' hot weather. (But it's cooler today- only 95.)UGH! Thanks for sharing :)

Juliana said...

Love the idea of mango and strawberries...not only look colorful, tastes great!

Unknown said...

I almost bought some popsicle molds this weekend, you have inspired me and I am going back for them over the weekend.

faithy said...

i need this right now..weather has been hot! But i want your popsicle mold..so nostalgic..reminds me of all the popsicle i used to eat when i was little! :D

Easy Picnic Recipes said...

i like your yummy yummy mango and strawberries!
Thanks.

Stella said...

Beautiful Jane! That's what I thought when I saw the top photo-beautius maximus (smile). These look wonderful, and it seems like mango and strawberry would be so good together...

Anonymous said...

Holy mouth watering goodness batwoman! Those are beautiful!! You sure had sun taking pictures of them. I must try this. Thanks for the luscious post.

skoraq cooks said...

Those popsicles look sooo good. So perfecly icy to chill during a schorching heat :-)

Jo said...

Oh wow! Just by looking at this ..I want, I want Mango and strawberry makes for such a delicious ice lolly. Great for summer days.

Katrina said...

I was just talking with my friends today about how I haven't had one popsicle this summer!! Weird. Looks like I'll be making these :)

Unknown said...

Never been a fan of popsicles. Maybe that's just because I haven't tasted these!

Michigan Food Blog said...

i LOVe popsicles, wayyy more than icecream.nice recipe.

The Urban Baker said...

i just saw these molds at William Sonoma. You've inspired me to go and buy them. these look delicious!