Recipe: Juicy Strawberry Lemon Popsicles

By Payal Shetty Food Contributor

Summer is finally here, in all its blazing glory. Farmer’s markets are sprucing up for the season in my neighborhood and colorful flowers are dancing along the sidewalks. The air is fragrant and warm and thoughts turn to frozen treats and ice creams. An icy cold, fruity popsicle is a refreshing treat to beat this heat. There is nothing better than inhaling the sweet fragrance of seasonal, plump, juicy strawberries, fabulous ingredients that are available everywhere at this time of the year. Add a hint of lemon and your kids are going to love slurping on it!

Makes 4 large popsicles
Time: 20 minutes plus freeze time (5-6 hours)

Ingredients:
25 medium strawberries, washed, hulled, and halved
1/3 cup brown sugar
4 teaspoons lemon juice

Instructions:
1. Blend the strawberries in a food processor until smooth.
2. Transfer puree to a saucepan and add sugar. Bring the puree to a boil over medium heat.
3. Reduce to a simmer; Cook and stir for an additional 10 minutes or until the sugar is completely dissolved and the puree thickens to a syrupy texture.
4. Let cool to room temperature. Once cooled, add lemon juice and stir.
5. Divide between the popsicle molds and top with a popsicle stick.
6. Freeze for about 5-6 hours or until completely frozen.

Tips:

• Frozen berries have the same nutritional value as fresh fruit, so be creative in your choices.
• Skip the sugar entirely or use honey to sweeten your popsicle. If you prefer honey, you can add it along with the lemon juice.
• To make it easier to remove the Popsicles from the mold, you can dip its bottom in lukewarm water for about 10-15 seconds.
• For younger kids, use mini molds.

Do you want to build some fun memories with your child? Cooking with your child is one of the easiest ways to connect with them. Involve them, engage them and encourage them. In this recipe, you can ask your little one to help you cut strawberries! And remember to always supervise them in the kitchen.

Note:
To ‘hull’ a strawberry means to remove its green calyx (the leafy stem). You can use a knife to cut the stem away or you can use a straw (yes, really!).

Insert an unbent straw into the bottom of the strawberry, and push straight through the fruit until the straw emerges out the other side and pops the cap off” says the food writers at the popular food community website Food52.com. It sounds more fun but I would imagine it needs practice. More info can be found here.

Photo Credit: The Bangkok Globe

Where can you buy popsicle molds?

Molds are available in large supermarkets and are available online on Amazon.com. The ones featured in the photograph have a little ‘slurper’ straw in the handle. I liked the idea of kids sucking every bit of their Popsicle even after it’s almost melted!

Zoku is one of the most popular brands for popsicle molds and are a tad bit more expensive.

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