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.

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.

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 :) 

Recipe: 

(Printable 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.