Pineapple Rosemary Ice Pops

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food, ice pops, iced tea, summer, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea time

It’s almost 30C outside this morning and we have yet another air quality advisory in effect, thanks to raging wildfires in the north. We’re not in any danger, thankfully, but share the benefits of smoke and smog. But it’s still summer, and while forest fires, ticks, mosquitoes, and hogsweed impact our activities, I’m not ready to give up summer living!

This week, I tried a new recipe for iced pops. I began with the basic recipe from Tasty Recipes, and then I improvised a lillte! 🙂

First I made my sugar-rosemary syrup by bringing sugar, water and a dash of dried rosemary to a gentle boil for 2-3 minutes. Then I set it aside to cool. I didn’t have any fresh rosemary and some dried herbs, like rosemary, can be quite potent. Most chefs recommend 1 tsp. dried rosemary to 3 tsp. fresh! I also knew I didn’t have the required 20 oz (or 2.5 cups of pineapple), so I halved the sugar and skimped on the water. I was worried that by using half the water I risked the syrup boiling dry and ruining my pot! After 2-3 minutes, I set it aside to cool.

A few hours later, I blitzed leftover pineapple and its juice in a blender. It was canned, not frozen, and I didn’t have enough for the 2.5 cups (20 oz.) in the recipe. I strained the sugar-rosemary syrup and added it to the pineapple, along with the lemon juice.

Most likely, messing with the recipe, changed the consistency. I found the mixture quite thick and pulpy, and I couldn’t imagine this being very easy to eat once it was frozen. How to thin it out?

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Lightbulb!!

This is where tea came in. I added live wire lemon tea. Not only did it improve the consistency for freezing, but it added flavour. Live Wire Lemon is a is a light lemon tea with grassy notes and just a whisper of warming ginger.

Please be advised…the air quality and humidity may be an issue, but these pineapple rosemary pops are not! They are delish, not overly sweet and certainly a healthier option with fresh fruit. I’ve got all the time in the world to lick back with a good book…

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.

Sam Keen

What’s In My Cup: Just Peachy

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#whatsinmycup, ice pops, iced tea, music, summer, tea, tea cups, what's in my cup

 In vain have I struggled. It will to do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“Just Peachy” is a real summertime treat. Big Guy gave me this tea for Christmas and I’m so glad he did. While on the sweet side (and slightly artificial tasting) when served hot, it is surprisingly refreshing served cold. With temperatures hovering around 30C these days, cold is good! In fact, David’s recommends it as an addition to fruity cocktails, and I heartily concur. Even if that cocktail is non-alcoholic! 😉

Just Peachy is an herbal tea comprised of apple pomace, artificial peach flavouring, sweet blackberry leaves, peach, natural sweet blackberry leaf flavouring, and artificial apricot flavouring. While seeing “artificial” anything in an ingredient list can be off-putting, keep in mind that it contains less sugar than juice and no added artificial sweeteners like diet pop. 

Serve it hot or cold, tall glass or cup and saucer (who says cups and saucers are reserved only for hot drinks)! Or think outside the square…

But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.” -Jane Austen

Happy Monday!