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Friday 31 August 2012

 Watermelon, Rosewater and Mint Popsicles

Every summer there seems to be a theme to this site. Last summer was all about the ice creams. This summer those ice creams seem to have gotten stuck on a stick, and its really been all about the popsicles and creamsicles. What's not to like about ice cream and sorbet on a stick anyway? 

Aditi and I certainly have no complaints at all. Check out m'lady's expressions in the pictures below and you can certainly see that she's been loving this summer.

Aditi enjoying her popsicles

This recipe was very much an Aditi creation (with only a teeny bit of input from mommy) She's been a bit overly inspired by her National Watermelon Promotion Board apron, and has been wearing it every chance she gets. And every time we go to the grocery, we come back lugging a watermelon! Sigh... lugging is the right word, as we don't have a car, and poor mommy is the camel instead. I hope those folks at NWPB realise what a monster they've created :))

No matter though, as I will certainly not grudge fruit to my kid (says I, soulfully!)  So my little bat has been chowing down through all the lovely bounty of the Canadian summer, including BC peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums... you name it, she goes for it.

Watermelon and Mint

So anyway, one hot afternoon, I am sitting there, debating a recipe for watermelon margaritas, you know, all adult and cool, like, and madam says to me, 'but mum... watermelons are perfect in a popsicle, no?' Well, yeah, but its a bit boring right? 

'But moooooommmmm...' OK, now any of you that have kids will certainly recognise that high pitched, ear aching, droooooonnning, miserable cow-like, absolutely fricking annoying whine. I don't normally give in to whining, but this time, I thought, what the heck, I'll just make those popsicles. But then, knowing my incessant tinkering gene (that would be the Indian in me, hehe) I thought, hey, why not jazz them up a bit. 

The mint in the garden was overflowing, so I decided I would add mint. After all, mint and watermelon is a bit of a classic. And then I thought, but hey, what about rosewater? I love rosewater, and to be honest, its my secret ingredient in a LOT of recipes. And I just love the fragrance, and I could see it works so well with the lovely fresh taste of watermelon and mint. So this recipe was born... and judging by the reaction of my little darling, was a great success. Smiles all around then, and no more of that bloody whine :) 

Cortas Rose Water

Recipe: 
Makes about 10 popsicles, depending on your moulds. 

Mint Syrup: 

1 cup packed fresh mint leaves
1 cup water
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar, to taste 

Method:

Place the mint leaves, water and sugar in a saucepan, and bring to the boil slowly, to dissolve the sugar. Boil hard for 1 minute, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 8 - 10 minutes.

Strain, squeezing the mint leaves thoroughly to extract maximum mint flavour. Refrigerate until ready to use. Can be used in several recipes, including this one.

Popsicles: 

4 cups watermelon, ideally seedless, cubed
4 - 5 tablespoons mint syrup + a little extra, if required
2 teaspoons rosewater + a little extra, if required.

Method: 

Blend together the watermelon, mint syrup and rosewater. Taste. The mixture should have the fragrance of rose and mint with the taste of watermelon.  Add a little more mint syrup or rosewater till you get your perfect balance. The above quantities reflect my preference.

Pour into popsicle moulds and freeze overnight.

Run a little warm water over moulds to release the popsicles.

19 comments :

  1. I know it has been I while since I got around all my blogs, but when did you change to Tiffin Box? I wish I could be as brave and change the name of my blog!

    Oh and lovely pops and beautiful daughter x

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    1. Hey Jac, I changed my name early July. I figured that if I had to do it, I had to do it now. Why do you want to change yours anyway?

      Its not super hard to change the name, but it does take some time to redo the Facebook page and transfer links, but other than that it was remarkably painless. In fact I am get a ton more pageviews now too. Only takes a bit of time and patience, and an ocasional nudge to Google :)

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  2. Your daughter is precious and how lucky you are that she loves her fruits so much. Your Popsicles are beautiful and look delicious. I love the combination of watermelon and mint and certain these would be a hit in my home.

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    1. Thanks Vicki :) Welcome to my site :) Yes, raising Aditi as a vegetarian has definitely helped with her intake of fruit and veg, so I guess I must thank my husband for this. Please do let me know how your family liked the recipe, if you do try it out.

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  3. Hi Michelle, first time to your space & must say you have a great one. Truly inspiring. Loved your clicks, Happy to follow u.

    These watermelon mint Popsicles look fab.

    Do visit my space if you like

    http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Shweta, I shall certainly check out your blog... always on the lookout for new blogger pals :)

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  4. Hi Michelle, I haven't been to your blog for ages and I love the new look, though now I'm worried that it might not be that new! Either way, it looks gorgeous. I am very envious of all your ice block recipes and can only hope we get a decent summer so I can try them out...

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    1. Haha, Lucy, its not that new, but new enough. Like I said earlier to Jac, I only changed the name and the look in July. Have been meaning to for a long time, and finally screwed up the courage to go ahead and do it. Good luck with the summer... we've actually had a decent one, so I am not complaining too hard anyway :)

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  5. Wow kids will love it ..thank you for sharing this recipe.
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  6. I love watermelon and mint but I bet rose water would be fantastic with them. Love this idea!

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    1. Hey Melissa, thanks. I actually use rosewater and orange flower water in practically everything I make :) And it goes so well with the watermelon-mint combination too.

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  7. Love the new blog look! I have been making Rhubarb and Rosewater Sorbet a lot recently, you have now inspired me to have a go at making Watermelon and Rosewater variation. Hope all is well.

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    1. Thanks Shaheen, let me know how it goes. I am going to have to try out your rhubarb and rosewater combo, sound divine. Congrats on the new cafe, I sure hope things are going brilliantly for you.

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  8. You'd think that someone could invent a lighter watermelon, wouldn't you? These do sound really refreshing and tasty. (Then again, so do watermelon margaritas). Funnily enough, I made something with rosewater today and I use the same Lebanese brand. Great minds think alike.

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    1. Haha, Phil, yes, I am pretty sure we can call ourselves great minds :) I did make a watermelon margarita, but decided to drink it instead of blogging it. I love Cortas... they have a good collection of exotic syrups and waters and are reasonably priced too.

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  9. I adore all three flavors; I will have to try it, come watermelon season! (We tend to have tons of watermelon here in the Southern US, so it's a perfect fit.)

    And I have to third the recommendation for Cortas. Love their rosewater and orange blossom water!

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  10. I'm from Canada as well and can't seem to find Rosewater or Orange Blossom Water anywhere - do you order it online?

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  11. Hi Michelle. My kids really liked it. Thanks for sharing.

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