Mango Lassi Popsicles

My new favorite desserts this summer are popsicles.  They are so easy to make and there are no limits to the flavor combinations.  It seems that they are popping up everywhere this year, even the franprix across the street has their own line.

For this recipe I make a puree of mango and a little sugar if it is not sweeet enough. Then I mix equal parts of coconut milk and cream.  Layer these in a mold and place in the freezer for 1 hour.  After it has started to freeze, place the sticks in the middle of each popsicle then return to the freezer until completely frozen.

I serve mine with a spicy chocolate sauce and some fresh raspberries from the garden.

Take the time and experiment with your favorite summer flavors.

Have fun and enjoy taking a break from the heat of the summer!

 

Chocolate Dipped Stone Fruit w/Ice Cream

Summer is stone fruit season, which makes it one of my favorite times of the year!  The produce in the summer and early fall is so amazingly delicious.

When talking about “stone fruit,” the term refers to members of the genus Prunus, which includes plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, and nectarines.  The blooms that produce the fruit are very fragile and extremely susceptible to frost and even strong winds.

The use of stone fruits can vary and range from fillers in a salad, to roasted and stuffed into a cobbler.  I prefer the simplest use, the one that really compliments the fruit and at the same time gives it the elegant perception of “Chocolate Covered.”

To make this dessert, simply melt your favorite chocolate (preferably a bitter sweet) in a bowl over simmering water.  Once the chocolate has melted, scrape the chocolate into a small bowl or container that will allow you to fully dip the fruit without too much maneuvering or trouble.  After you have dipped half of the fruit in the chocolate, lightly scrape off part of the extra chocolate from the bottom of the bowl and place onto a chilled plate.  Allow time for the fruit to cool and the chocolate to harden.  You may now double dip into a different kind of chocolate to give a more hand crafted look or just scoop your favorite ice cream into the middle and serve immediately.  Really, it is that simple!  Don’t miss out on this wonderful time of year!

 

Heirloom Tomato Season

Ok everyone, the time has come for the new season of heirloom tomatoes!

Heirloom tomatoes have become more and more popular in the recent years.  They lack a genetic mutation, thats what gives the tomatoes their appealing uneven form.  They come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and flavors.

Heirloom tomato seeds are easly collected and will self-pollinate.  The seeds show the traits of the original seeds line.

Shopping for them becomes easier as the summer goes on. The best way is to stop by the nearest farmers marker and ask the growers about their varieties. They will be more than happy to help you pick out a tomato you will love.

And finally, play with it and have fun!