Cool down week with popsicles and shakes to cool you down in these dog days of summer like these refreshing Watermelon, Mint and Chili popsicles that have a kick to them.
How this happened is simple from a story telling point of view, but from a physical point, its awfully complicated. Limping into A&E on a Friday morning, I explained my lack of ability to breathe and within the hour discovered I had two large blood clots in my lungs and was lucky to be alive.
So here I have stayed under the careful watch of the NHS with a view of Big Ben out my window, hoping with each new morning that it will be my last waking up to those chimes. Countless kind people in my life have made up for the distance between my family and I. They have also proven, as is so often the case of life, how many kind and truly good people there are out there.
Watermelon was created for the hottest of summer days! Biting into cooled and fresh slices of that pink flesh with its black freckles brings an instant wide oranged smile to a face of any age. It is the fruit, that, while others are sweltering and becoming ever softer, lays back and relishes the opportunity to keep you cool and hydrated in the summer heat.
Memories of watermelon go as far back to my childhood as my memory allows. Sitting in the backyard, while my dad took a quick break from his work during his busiest season meant a wedge of watermelon, far too big for my face that I ended up with moist cheeks finishing off every fleck of flesh to be seen.
Those were also summers where it was usually too hot to sleep and blankets would be tossed. The days where the sun set later and climbing in through my bedroom window after a day of playing with friends at the beach would feel like an endless eternity.
How to prepare Watermelon, Mint and Chili Popsicles
- Blend it: Blend the ingredients until it resembles a pulped juice.
- Sieve: Sieve to draw out any seeds you hadn't pulled out as well as any chilli flakes you had might not want included.
- Popsicle molds: Pour into your popsicle molds and pop into your freezer.
- Add the popsicle sticks: 1 hour after putting into your freezer, slide the popsicle sticks in.
- Freeze time: Allow the popsicles to freeze properly for at least 3 hours.
- Slide out: Remove from the freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 3-5 minutes (dependent on the temperature) and slide out.
- Serve: Enjoy the cool flavors.
Tips for the best Watermelon, Mint and Chili Popsicles
Adding popsicle sticks after popping into your freezer: Due to how light the watermelon juice is, if you pop the sticks in before placing in the freezer they will either float higher in the mold or sink leaving you with nothing to grab once frozen.
Let your popsicles sit: Going from the freezer to room temperature will unlikely result you being able to pull these free immediately out of the freezer, it's best to let them sit for a few minutes and then tug lightly and they should come free.
Chili sub: If you don't like chili you could sub in finely chopped lime zest.
More fruity frozen desserts you'll enjoy
How to make Watermelon, Mint and Chili Popsicles:
Place all ingredients in a blender and combine until smooth.
Sift and add a few spoonfuls of watermelon pulp and mint back into the bowl.
Pour into your moulds and place in the freezer.
Remove after 1 hour and push your popsicle stick into the center and freeze for a further 3 hours.
Remove from the freezer, let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Serve.
Watermelon, Mint and Chili Popsicle's
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: Makes 4
- Category: Frozen
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Refreshing, minty and slightly spiced these watermelon popsicles are the kind of thing you need in the middle of summer.
Ingredients
1 ยฝ cups watermelon flesh, deseeded
1 small handful fresh mint leaves
ยฝ teaspoon chili flakes
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and combine until smooth.
- Sift and add a few spoonfuls of watermelon pulp and mint back into the bowl.
- Pour into your moulds and place in the freezer.
- Remove after 1 hour and push your popsicle stick into the center and freeze for a further 3 hours.
- Remove from the freezer, let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Serve.
Notes
Adding popsicle sticks after popping into your freezer: Due to how light the watermelon juice is, if you pop the sticks in before placing in the freezer they will either float higher in the mold or sink leaving you with nothing to grab once frozen.
Let your popsicles sit: Going from the freezer to room temperature will unlikely result you being able to pull these free immediately out of the freezer, it's best to let them sit for a few minutes and then tug lightly and they should come free.
Chili sub: If you don't like chili you could sub in finely chopped lime zest.
Recipe by Roamingtaste
Nutrition
- Calories: 28 calories per popsicle
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