Showing posts with label Popsicle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Popsicle. Show all posts

Friday, September 24, 2010

Chocolate Kiwi Popsicles - Simple Saturday

When I can cover something in chocolate and STILL know that it's healthy - I'm a happy gal!
Chocolate Kiwi Popsicles
If you're wondering how much fruit is really in these chilly snack bars, take a good look. It's literally a slice of kiwifruit that has been dipped in a very thin, but crispy coating of chocolate and coconut oil.
That's it. I could ramble on, but that's the recipe, period.

1) Kiwi - peeled and cut in 1 inch thick rounds
, with a popsicle stick in each round. Freeze on a tray in the freezer.
2) 1 cup Chopped dark chocolate and 1/2 cup Coconut oil - melted over a double boiler, then cooled to room temp.
3) Dip each Kiwi-pop into the chocolate mixture (it will immediately turn crispy) and place on a tray to refreeze or pass around right now. I've had Kiwi in salads, and cakes, but when I received a box of kiwi from the Zespri Kiwi Growers (as part of a blogging program), my first thought was how much I wanted to keep the kiwi looking and tasting as true as possible.According to their reports, this year's crops are really sweet and yet still have their usual low glycemic index. That makes kiwi a great food for diabetic issues, weight conscious diets and low-fat, low-carb snacking. Here are a few facts that surprised me and made me want to keep eating those fuzzy little odd-balls.One serving of KIWI:

* contains the same amount of fiber as a BOWL of bran cereal.

* contains the same amount of potassium as a banana

* provides the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C


and...

Folate (good for pregnant women), Lutein (helps prevent age-related blindness), Zinc (healthy hair, skin, teeth), Vitamin E (antioxidant and immune system booster) AND...the enzyme found in green kiwifruit makes a natural meat tenderizer. Who knew?


Now, as good as these popsicles taste - I'd really love to eat one of those kiwifruit while laying on the beach in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. So, I'm entering Zespri's Kiwi-contest (a trip for 4 to New Zealand!) - which you can do also, just by the usual filling out name, etc and letting them know. Go check out the Great Kiwi Adventure site.

You don't have to buy anything, they obviously just want to get the word out about KIWI.
Speaking of words, my teenage son (who thought he didn't like kiwi) was at a loss for words when he tasted these popsicles. He then passed them out to his friends and it was the most quiet this house has been in a while. Their mouths were full of Chocolate Kiwi Popsicles. Mmmm.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Nutella/Banana/Chipotle Paleta - Say That 3 Times Fast

I love Nutella, and I love a Challenge. Did I mention I love Nutella? Thanks to the inspired Paula at Bell'Alimento, I've been experimenting with that "hazelnutty", sweet, chocolate, semi-healthy addictive spread called Nutella. The coolest thing (literally) I've made so far is a PALETA.
The classic Mexican Popsicle, Paleta, differs from the traditional American Popsicle by using real fruit and less sugar. These frozen fruit bars can be made with a water base or a milk base, and they can be sweet or savory.The ringing bell of the Paletero's push cart and running out to pick out a favorite flavor from the rainbow of cellophane wrappers is a childhood memory for many people. And the popularity of these fruity filled Mexican Popsicles has launched several gourmet Paleterias around the country. Children love the flavors that include Strawberry, Mango, Coconut and Lime. Adults enjoy those and also the complex combos of Cucumber and Jalapeno, Pineapple and Avocado or Lime with pepper flakes.

I have to admit, it wasn't a chore to taste test these Nutella/Banana/Chipotle Paletas. Besides being a great refresher from the summer heat,
the Nutella addition made these pops a creamy dream to sink your teeth into. Then, the cold melts away to a jewel of fresh banana. After the sweet, a kick of heat from the chipotle hits the back of your throat and you're ready for your next bite. These are simple, inexpensive, fast, cold and a great way to use the bananas you already put away in the freezer. Make a lot of them because you will be hearing, "more Paleta, Paleez."

NUTELLA/BANANA/CHIPOTLE PALETA

1 Cup Whole Milk
2 Frozen Bananas
1/2 cup Nutella
1 Chipotle Chile (From can of Chipotle Chiles in Adobe sauce)
Crushed Toasted Hazelnuts (optional)

In a blender, add the bananas, milk, nutella and chipotle chili together and blend for about 20 seconds. Banana pieces should be small chunks or less.

Pour mixture into Popsicle molds and place in freezer until firm.
(You can also use paper cups for the molds. Pour mixture into small cups and freeze for about 1 hour, then place popsicle sticks into the middle standing up. Return to the freezer til firm)

**Optional: Before pouring mixture in, put a sprinkling of toasted hazelnuts in the tip of the molds.

To see MANY other Nutella ideas from friends who are participating in this Nutella Challenge, or to join in the fun, CLICK HERE.