The popsicle post.

Hey all. I just wanted to do a quick update for a couple things really quick. Basically I have been cooking a lot and I need to post some stuff! Okay, here we go.

I have been making a lot of popsicles! I love them and they are perfect for this hot summer weather. I see popsicles of all sorts being a staple in the freezer all summer long. They are so easy an so scrumptious! Well, I made popsicle batch #2 (#1 was the Vietnamese coffee pops) and they were tart and tangy and PERFECT for a hot summer day.

#2: Pineapple-Peach Pops
--1 pineapple diced
--2 peaches washed and sliced
--1/2 c water (to thin & blend easier)
--Honey to taste
--1.5 c whole milk yogurt

- Blend all ingredients in blender untl smooth (add yogurt last). I use whole milk yogurt to help form small, melty ice crystals... non jagged tongue gashers. Put in pop trays and freeze! Yummy!

#3: Avocado pops
--2 medium avocados
--2/3 cup 1% milk (what I always use)
--Honey to taste
--Juice of one large lemon
--1.5 c lowfat yogurt

- Blend all again, adding yogurt last. I use lowfat here b/c the avos have enough fat to make nice, smooth pops. Usually if making fruit pops I use whole yogurt. I have to tell you all that these pops are sooooo tasty! I am a huge fan of avo ice cream, so the pops are like 10x easier to make... joy!

Well, I cant wait to show you what I have come up with next! Happy pop-making!

**** On a side note, here is the perfect s'more! OMG so good! Here's the key... long slow marmallow roasting, then catch it on fire and quickly put in out. Also, have a graham cracker with a reese cup on it warming/ melting by the fire (on a rock or the rim... whatav) while you are roasting aformentioned marshmallow. By the time they come together they will both be full of gooey luciousness and CALLING YOUR NAME. You will be happy to oblige!

<3 Tara

Vietnamese coffee popsicles.

So its the last week of school and its been a blisteringly abrupt 90-something all week. This is OHIO, its not supposed to be like that until mid-July! We totally skipped straight from icky, wet 60-something weather to 90-something. Figures. Well, during this slightly hectic time I am in need of caffeine. But coffee is hot. Nooooo thanks.

I also become crazily obsessed with cool things... fruits that are in the fridge, ice cream, smoothies popsicles... you know. This is due to the 90 degree weather and me being a cheap ass and not wanting to turn on the AC. I have the solution! Cold coffee! Not like iced coffee that is about 32 degrees, but coffee that is frozen... colder that 32. This is when I vaguely remember a recipe I saw a few days ago in passing. Here it is: http://www.yumsugar.com/1663993 . After investigating for a few I can safely say that anyone interested in getting me foodie gifts can find a Vietnamese coffee maker. Thanks! Its super cute and Ill add it to the stove top espresso maker, the french press and the aeropress I already have. Now I need a chemex and life will be complete. That's only the stuff for coffee prep. Do not get me started on the tea stuff... though the french press is used quite a bit here too. Okay, back to the chilly delights of freezing coffee.

I don't have the cool, ice-stick things... just regular old popsicle molds. I don't think that my taste buds cared about the shape though, these things were awesome! Super simple and uber-tasty. They also wake me up for all this grading I now have to do as a TA. Here's a pic... as usual don't fault me for my mediocre camera!

<3 Tara