Summertime Treat, Italian-style

Julie Jurden


Cool off from the summertime heat, Italian-style. Italian Ice Pops are a delightfully easy way to beat the sweltering heat.

Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) bag or 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries, defrosted

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

3 or 4 tablespoons simple syrup, recipe follows

14 wooden ice pop sticks

Simple Syrup:

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

Directions

In a blender, combine the raspberries and the mint. Puree until combined. Add the lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of the simple syrup. Blend to combine. Taste the mixture and add the remaining 1 tablespoon simple syrup if you like. Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze for approximately 30 minutes, or until partially frozen. Insert the wooden sticks and return trays to the freezer for another 3 to 5 hours.

Simple Syrup:

In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Take pan off heat and cool the syrup. Any extra cooled syrup can be saved in an airtight container.

Yield: 1/2 cup

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

This recipe was taken for The Food Network. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/italian-ice-pops-recipe.html?oc=linkback