Sunday, May 9, 2010

Popsicle of the Week: Rhubarb ......and a fun giveaway!!


I hope you all had a fantastic Mother's Day weekend! We spent the day relaxing and enjoyed a very tasty steak dinner, which we followed up with these tasty Rhubarb popsicles! Let me just go ahead and say that these rhubarb popsicles have been my favorite, so far. They were tart, sweet, and SO CREAMY! In fact, the consistency of the Rhubarb popsicle was like ice cream.

As soon as I saw the recipe for Rhubarb popsicles I was hooked. It was one of those recipes that stand out and stick with you until you get around to making it. When I spotted the first of the rhubarb at the market, you can bet I snagged it. I was on a popsicle mission.

Rhubarb Popsicles
Adapted from Ice Pops by Shelly Kaldunski
*Makes 10-12 ice pops

1-1/2 pounds rhubarb
2-1/4 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups water
pinch of salt

Trim the rhubarb stalks and then cut into 1/2-inch pieces. In a saucepan, combine the sugar and 1-1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the rhubarb and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb has softened, about 5 minutes. Remove the mixture from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Pour the rhubarb mixture into a blender or food processor and process until very smooth. If using conventional ice pop molds, divide the mixture among the molds. Cover and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days. If using sticks, insert them into the molds when the pops are partially frozen, after about 1 hour, then continue to freeze until solid, at least 3 more hours.

Notes/Results: If you like rhubarb, then you will love this creamy popsicle. I do want to mention that this popsicle is very thick and therefore pretty darn hard to remove from the popsicle mold. I knew it was probably a little too thick to pour into the Zoku Quick Pop Maker, so I used my old-fashioned popsicle molds. I had to carefully remove them from the mold with a butter knife. They were well worth the extra step, but next time I will use the paper dixie cups as molds so that I can simply tear the paper cup away. Even though they were a little tricky to remove from the mold, there will definitely be a next time! I really liked this popsicle and found it unique and fun!

And now for the giveaway......................................................
One lucky reader is going to receive a copy of Shelly Kaldunski's new book Ice Pops! All you need to do is leave a comment on this post, letting me know your favorite popsicle flavor! If you are a new reader, be sure to leave an email or way for me to contact you.


Sorry, the giveaway is only open to U.S. Residents.

Giveaway will run until next Sunday, May 16th at midnight EST. Winner will be selected by the random number generator and announced on Monday, May 17th. Good luck everyone! This is a really fun book.

23 comments:

  1. Ooooh! I'm the first one;) My fav would be strawberry or mango!

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  2. Those look like really fun and unique popsicles--they look so creamy!

    I am a mango or creamsicle fan myself. ;-)

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  3. Happy belated mother's day babe!

    Oh wow these take popsicles to a whole new level! I am LOVING this flavor.

    I think my favorite would have to be a creamsicle...makes me feel like I'm five again.

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  4. Wow! This book sounds wonderful! I'm with Joanne on the favorites - mine is a creamsicle too! All orangey and creamy - yum!

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  5. I love a good root beer popsicle.

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  6. This book sounds great, my favorite flavor tamarind,or passion fruit. I like the acidity and freshness of these flavors

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  7. I love banana popsicles. Your rhubarb popsicles look great, I've got to try that recipe!

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  8. When it comes to popsicles, I'm usually into orange. These rhubarb ones sound unique!

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  9. My favorite popsicle flavor is Cherry/Pineapple. I'm so looking forward to making popsicles this summer with my daughter.

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  10. I love rhubarb, but I would never have thought to make it into a popsicle! Yum! And I'd love a copy of that book :)

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  11. Oh man, RHUBARB?? I would never ever have thought to put that in popsicle! I just planted some rhubarb this year and I can't wait for it to start producing.

    I'm thinking...so many choices. I'm not sure what would be my favorite, but what about a coconut cream? Use coconut milk....Mmmm that sounds good!

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  12. Pineapple would be my favorite!

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  13. I'm thinking, a rhubarb popsicle that's cremy with no cream added??? How can that be? Though from looking at your picture, I believe it! Great for the hips!
    I'm thinking your pineapple popsicle with a touch of lime juice added would be a favorite for me. Oh goodness, now I'm on a popsicle mission for the summer ;D

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  14. rhubarb pops! how yummy, they sound so good!

    great giveaway, my favorite popsicle flavor so far is probably coconut. have you tried those real fruit coconut popsicles? mmmmmm.

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  15. I never had rhubarb but you make these sound so good! It's not a flavor I would think to make a popsicle out of. Creamsicles are my favorite!

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  16. oh orange is mine then cola I just got a lil popsicle maker you inspired me!!

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  17. Oh wow! I LOVE rhubarb. What a refreshing way to use these tart stalks!

    If I'd tried this, I'd probably say that this is my favorite popsicle flavor. Since I haven't, my fave is still the plain ol' fudgesicle...with fresh strawberry (with chunks) being my second.

    Great recipe and wonderful giveaway!

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  18. I'd have to join the ranks of those opting for a creamsicle. The rhubarb is terrific but the creamsicles makes me a child again. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  19. Honest answer: fudgesicle. Guilt answer: a pop made from chopped strawberries and yogurt.

    I've never had rhubarb! It was a popular item when I lived in the midwest, but here...not so much. I've never seen it in a store, not even the freezer section. I think I'd like it if it's tangy and sweet like you describe.

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  20. Ooh I bet the rhubarb flavor is fantastic! I would have to say my favorite flavor is the red, white, and blue ones :o)

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  21. I had some fresh strawberry Popsicles once that were so yummy.

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  22. Those rhubarb popsicles sound delicious!!! I have to honestly say I have never had rhubarb in any form. I am the owner of a home childcare and my kiddos love stawberry popsicles. I am a personal fan of pina colada!!

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  23. What a fun book. I personally like raspberry popsicles, the chunkier the better!

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