Before we discuss the Great Popsicle Hack, we need to discuss how fast summer is passing (again) and the ridiculousness that has been consumed this summer:
- so many fun meet ups with the Houston Food Bloggers Collective!
- Mindy-style beverages at FPSF
- a beignet party
- a juice cleanse (to atone for the beignets and doughnuts)
- SO MUCH BRUNCHING.
Also: this pan of miso lobster mac ‘n cheese for a double date, made with bountiful quantities of heavy cream, cheese, more cream and more cheese and consumed by four people, one of whom is lactose-intolerant, one of whom is slightly allergic to dairy. Which made for a fun night.
From a certain perspective, you could say the night was disastrous, from burbling indigestion to the stray blueberry that flew out of someone’s bowl and ended up smashed between my butt and the couch, bruising the seat of my white shorts purple to the truly bizarre (horrifying?) Netflix movie that we found. But mostly it was fun, and importantly–I know, I know, you’re like why all the blabber when I really just want to hear about this instant popsicle business?!–it led to this discovery of the 1-minute popsicle, created by Ornsiree for a light dessert to follow the incredibl(y heavy) meal. Just in time for Billy’s brilliant POPSICLE WEEEEEK!
Okay so it’s really a popsicle bowl, but I’m not interested in technicalities when it’s 100 degrees outside with 100% humidity and sweat is gluing my thighs together because we’re trying to conserve on electricity in our apartment.
Are you ready? It’s so easy, it’s like cheating. Frozen fruit + milk of choice + maple cream + wait for slushiness + DEVOUR. Am I kicked out of Popsicle Week yet? It’s just so perfectly refreshing: icy, fruity, a little creamy, a little sweet, but not too sweet. Most crucially: almost INSTANT!
In other news, CALLING ALL HOUSTON READERS: remember that one time I went to Portland and became obsessed with Italian street food? So, best news: a new Italian street food place is coming to Houston which means we can alllll be obsessed with fresh Italian flatbread + crisp veggies + melty cheese + sharp Italian dressings together! (Menu here.)
Piada sounds kind of like the Chipotle of Italian food, bringing the experience of Italy to you in a fresh and inexpensive fashion. They’re offering a sweet opportunity to be a VIP, which means you get to eat free food the week before the doors officially open. You also get to meet the head chef and learn about Piada’s food and history. But did I mention the free food?
Sign up here if you’re interested in their Memorial location! (Or here for Vintage Park; here for Sugarland).
Back to popsicles. Make these and keep cool this summer, friends!
1-minute Popsicle Bowl
Ingredients
- Frozen mixed fruit a blend with cherries, grapes and peaches is highly recommended
- Vanilla almond milk or your milk of choice
- Maple cream or honey
Instructions
- Place ~ 1 cup frozen fruit in a bowl. Pour milk over until fruit is half-submerged. Let sit for a couple minutes until a slush forms. Drizzle with maple cream before eating.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
Lol, I hope your poor white pants made it through the night of blueberry horror! And say whaaaaaat?! I’ve never heard of this popsicle hack. It sounds amazing! Glad to hear you’re having a fun and delicious summer, my friend!
Nora (A Clean Bake)
Ohh what a date night that sounds like it was! Holy crap. Haha. But wait, don’t leave me hanging: what was a horrifying movie you guys watched!?!
So, I LOVE this idea. Mostly because I am so horribly impatient when it comes to cold treats – I never make this stuff ahead of time and then when I’m boiling, I want a popsicle NOW!! You’re a total genius.
erika
Haha it was QUITE the date night. I will…email you about the movie. Heh. And YES that impatience, I share, totally.
Shikha @ Shikha la mode
I’ve been on a bit of a blogging hiatus but I came back to see this recipe and whattttt. I needed this last week when it was 86 degrees in SF!!
erika
Haha thanks lady!! Miss you in the blogosphere but maybe see you in person in August?! I’ll be around for a week in mid-Aug if you’re around <33
Shikha @ Shikha la mode
Yes I’m around! Text me 650-430-8319.
Kaitlin
Everything about this post made me laugh! This sounds like the kind of night I would have with my friends 😉 lol
Love the 1 minute popsicle too! I love all the recipes people are passing around but like. I dunno. Popsicles aren’t exciting enough, in general, for me to want to wait around to eat one. This is better 😀
erika
Ahh your comment totally made my day!! So glad my friends and I aren’t the only ones to be absolutely ridiculous 😉
Also, SO AGREE! Popsicles just don’t do it for me like, say, cake, so the instantaneous factor is a big factor in my consumption of popsicles. You hit the nail on the head!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
popsicle BOWL-how cool!!
and oooh your summer sounds amazing! BEIGNET PARTY!
erika
Thanks so much Kayle!! And by the way–CONGRATS ON GETTING MARRIED!!!! I’m so behind on the blogosphere, but I’m so happy for you!!!
Linda | Brunch with Joy
Wait…what? This is brilliant! I need this in life – so easy and delicious. And Houston? I wish I live nearby….
erika
Aww thanks so much Linda! I wish you lived nearby too! 🙂
Kathryn
This is just perfect summer eating.
erika
Gah HELLO KATHRYN! I miss your blog! I’ve been so behind! Going to go catch up now; thank you so much for stopping by + the kind words!! <3
Sockmonkey's Kitchen
Oh wowee! This looks incredibly yummy! And to think I just put cut up peaches into the freezer last week. Yay! Thanks for the wonderful idea! =0)
erika
YES! That is the kind of food prep + recipe discovery fate that I love. Happy popsicle-bowl eating to you!! :))
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Wut? I need this like…right now!!! So easy and delicious!
erika
😉 Thanks Katrina 🙂
Karen @ The Food Charlatan
This is basically the best thing ever. Also, ITALIAN STREET FOOD??? Sacramento, are you listening??
erika
I know right?! You need it. Also, have you tried the Asian Chipotle chain? Shophouse I think? So freaking good. Ahem, Sacramento (and Houston!!)…