Mojito Ice Pops Food

STRAWBERRY MOJITO ICE POPS

Steps:

• Cut 6 cups strawberries in half, then slice the remaining 1 cup strawberries. Divide the sliced strawberries among 18 (3-ounce) pop molds. Set the halved strawberries aside.
• In a blender, combine the remaining strawberries and mint leaves, agave, lime juice, and rum, if using. With the motor running, gradually add the seltzer water and blend until the mixture becomes smooth enough to pour.
• Divide the mixture among the prepared molds and top with the remaining 1/4 cup mint. Add the ice pop sticks to the molds. Freeze 4 to 6 hours or until solid.

MOJITO ICE LOLLIES

Steps:

• Pour 100ml water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat, tip in the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the mint leaves, return to the heat and simmer for 5 mins then remove and leave to infuse for 30 mins. (This can be made the day before and left in the fridge overnight to infuse).
• Pour through a sieve into a jug, squashing the mint leaves with the back of a spoon to squeeze out all the juices. Add the rum, 125ml lime juice, lime zest and stir. Add enough soda water to bring the total volume up to 600ml. Taste the mixture - it should be sharp and sweet. Add the remaining 25ml lime juice if needed.
• Pour the mixture into lolly moulds and freeze for 1 hr until the mixture is solid enough to hold the lolly sticks upright. Push the sticks 3/4 of the way into the lollies and return to the freezer for 6-8 hrs to freeze completely. To unmould, dip the outside of the lolly mould into hot water for 10 secs then use the sticks to pull each lolly out. The lollies can be kept wrapped individually in baking parchment in airtight bags in the freezer for up to 1 week.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE ICE POPS

Steps:

• Blend the strawberries, sugar and vanilla extract in a blender on high speed until the strawberries are broken down into small pieces, pushing them down as needed, 5 to 10 seconds. Set aside.
• Combine the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer or in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Slowly increase the speed up to high and whip until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the strawberry mixture and fold in with a rubber spatula. Transfer the mixture into a pastry bag or large resealable plastic bag with one corner cut out.
• Pipe the mixture into 8 to 10 ice pop molds (depending on how aerated the filling is), filling each with about 1/3 cup of the mixture and leaving a 1/4-inch space at the top of each ice pop mold for the mixture to expand as it freezes. Tap the molds on the counter several times to remove air bubbles. Insert an ice pop stick into each mold. Transfer to a small baking sheet and freeze until the ice pops are solid, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• About 30 minutes before removing the ice pops from the freezer, make the coating. Pulse the vanilla cookies in a food processor until coarse like sand, 25 to 30 seconds. Transfer 3/4 cup of the crumbs to a medium bowl. Add the freeze-dried strawberries to the remaining crumbs in the food processor and pulse until the strawberries are completely ground and no visible pieces remain, 25 to 30 seconds. Transfer to a second medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons melted butter to each bowl and mix by hand until small clumps form. Add one crumb mixture to the other and gently toss together until combined; for a red-and-white-speckled pattern, avoid over-mixing.
• Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the ice pop molds in a large bowl filled with hot water to loosen. Working with one ice pop at a time, gently press the cookie-strawberry crumbs onto the ice pops to completely cover. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining ice pops. Freeze for 1 hour.