Foodiva's Kitchen: Rhubarb-Coconut-Cinnamon and Raspberry Popsicles

Friday, June 17, 2011

Rhubarb-Coconut-Cinnamon and Raspberry Popsicles


“I felt I was painting with a Popsicle.”
~ Robert Merrill

"What did one tomato say to the other as they were rolling down the hill?"
"Go ahead, I'll ketchup."

Ever wonder who makes up those corny jokes on popsicle sticks that you can only read fully once you finish the popsicle? And how much do they get paid for that job? Oh well, I hadn't eaten too many store-bought popsicles over the last decade (or two) so I'm not sure whether these jokes still exist and if they do, whether they're still not that funny... 
 
Today's not a regular French Friday offering, as you can probably tell if you've read this far. While the rest of the French Fridays with Dorie crew are happily roasting rhubarb (for that's the recipe this week), I am left holding a can of discolored rhubarb. Unfortunately, this fresh vegetable is not currently available to those of us residing in the Southern hemisphere. 'Tis simply not in season and my plans to participate in this week's online cook-out have been utterly and quite literally, canned.



Nevertheless, I wanted to be with the 'rhubarb-roasting' crowd in spirit so I decided to turn my limp, unrosy rhubarb into something a bit more cheerful-looking - popsicles. They remind me of childhood days when being spotted with a popsicle carefully propped in between your thumb and forefinger was considered de rigueur and popsicle-stick jokes seemed somehow hilarious.

The marvels of marketing...the canned rhubarb didn't look anything like the depicted picture!

Making popsicles is no rocket science and I was relieved (and so must you) that there were minimal steps to be photographed, edited and posted up here today. My usual copious process photos are subbed with shots of  lovely Bougainvillea flowers snipped from my garden instead. Lovely, are they not?


I wanted to create a two-toned popsicle so I paired the rhubarb with raspberries since these flavors go excellently together. The pink layer you see here is actually the raspberry layer, while the off-white layer is rhubarb. I made this recipe completely dairy-free because I used coconut milk with the rhubarb and rice milk with the raspberries. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the tartness of the rhubarb complemented the rich creaminess of the coconut milk (think piña colada, minus the rum!). A dash of cinnamon added to the rhubarb-coconut mixture made that side of the popsicle just that bit more interesting. You try it and see.

 Spot the hidden rhubarb!

Now what I find special about this humble popsicle, and I know you will too, is that you get to bite into the icy, slushy chunks of rhubarb hidden inside it. As a (ahem..) grown-up, it's hard for me to experience the magic of eating popsicles in quite the same way as I did when I was a child. Now I'm not sure why, but having these frozen rhubarb chunks in here have enhanced the whole popsicle-eating experience for me as an adult. Oh yes, the absence of corny jokes on the sticks helped too :-).



Rhubarb-Coconut-Cinnamon and Raspberry Popsicles
Makes: 4-5 standard sized popsicles

Rhubarb layer
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup rhubarb chunks, canned or freshly roasted
Extra 1/2 cup rhubarb chunks

Raspberry layer
1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup organic rice milk

Method:
1. For the rhubarb layer, place coconut milk, cinnamon, sugar and ½ cup softened rhubarb chunks in a blender and process until smooth. Strain and leave the mixture in the fridge to chill.
2. For the raspberry layer, blend raspberries, sugar and rice milk until smooth. Strain to remove seeds and pour the mixture equally into popsicle molds. This is the first layer. Leave to freeze for about 30 minutes in the freezer. Tilt the popsicle molds at a 45-degree angle if you want to achieve the diagonal-layered effect.
3. Once the raspberry layer has frozen sufficiently (though not totally), place the soft rhubarb chunks on top of this layer and pour the rhubarb mixture over them, cover completely. Use a toothpick or skewer to stir the chunks around to ensure the rhubarb mixture seeps all the way to the bottom and there are no air bubbles. Insert the popsicle sticks/holders in the centre of the mold (the rhubarb chunks will hold them in place, believe it or not!). Leave to freeze completely for at least 4 hours or overnight. De-mold by placing molds under running tap water briefly and pulling the popsicles out by the sticks. Consume immediately.


34 comments:

Kate@Diethood said...

What gorgeous layers and flavors...these popsicles look amazing!
I couldn't find rhubarb...not even canned. Its season is done around here so I have to sit out this week's FFwD :(

Unknown said...

It's so funny, Kate, I looked high and low for rhubarb and when I found these pathetic canned ones, I was so, so happy. Until I realized that I couldn't actually roast them! LOL. So, popsicle it was.

Cher Rockwell said...

How awesome are you? What a great way to make lemons into lemonade... or canned rhubarb into popsicles! (Love the flowers from your yard)

Alina---Explora Cuisine said...

The best part of these popsicles is that you get a surprise by eating the solid rhubarb :) great combination Maya! Have a great weekend!

Roxan said...

What an inventive frozen treat! Even though it is grey and drizzly here in LA I would loooove to eat one of these right now. Maya, move to la! :) I think we would be great friends.

PS I didn't know you're in the southern hemisphere! Where do you live?

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Your creation is superb and I love how you managed to still do a twist on the friday challenge. That rhubarb in the can is not sexy at all but you made it so appealing in popsicle form, no joke!

Unknown said...

Cher, haha...I love how eloquently you've put it! I guess I did turn my nasty-looking rhubarb into some yummy, pretty popsicles :-).

Unknown said...

Alina, for me the hidden solid rhubarb was the best part! I think I have a penchant for hidden food, it's weird but wonderful at the same time ;-).

Unknown said...

Roxan, I believe we'd be great friends too if I lived in LA. I can trade my popsicles for your fab macarons! Unfortunately, I'm way over in Brunei about 8,000+ miles away from you :-(.

Unknown said...

Evelyne, I really like the idea of a sexy popsicle, and if it tastes HOT just like this rhubarb one, then all the better!

Anonymous said...

What a creative way to still do a rhubarb post today! And, I love ice cream, so these popsicles look really tasty. Your photos look amazing.

Victoria said...

Eek, well even though you couldn't find fresh rhubarb, you still participated in the rhubarb love and that's really the point of these foodie adventures, no? Glad you made the best of your canned goods with these fun popsicles :)

Jenny (VintageSugarcube) said...

Beeeeeutiful!! Those are the prettiest popsicles ever. I just hope you saved some for the kiddos. PS..Can't wait to see that red hott kitchen of yours. XOXO

Heather said...

Once again, you are a genius! Who would have thought to turn that soggy canned rhubarb into these fantastic looking scrumptious popsicles!!! Amazing:)

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Leave it to you to make me drool over canned rhubarb! Wow, what a fabulous and delicious transformation :)

tricia s. said...

Boy am I learning alot about rhubarb this week ! Not only did I not know what it looked like fresh, but did not realize it came frozen or gasp...in a can ?? Too funny and perfect since Nana promised to make me and my family more of her wonderful rhubarb since mine did not turn out so hot. She tried 5 stores today and didn't score a stalk. Now we know we can try the canned goods aisle. I am so wanting one of those popsicles right now :)

Torviewtoronto said...

delicious looking dessert
beautiful presentation and flowers

adorasbox said...

In the many years I've lived in London, I've never tried rhubarb. My husband says we should but no wants to be the first. Bougainvillea is so lovely. Used to crush the papery blossoms when I was little, to make pretend juice. Very nice lollies. Again, incredible flavour mix. I will consume immediately without prompting.

Unknown said...

Jenny@Vintage Sugarcube, the kids didn't see the virtues of having rhubarb in popsicles, so they declined these which left more for me!

Adriana said...

I didn't even know rhubarb could be canned! It is not at all something you'd find where I live, so I caught up with one of the recipes from before I joined FFwD. I'm about done with working around the house and could definitely use one of those delicious looking popsicles.

Unknown said...

Tricia, I'm learning plenty about rhubarb too...like how short the season is and how difficult it is to find here, even the frozen ones! How dedicated Nana was (and most of the Doristas) for scouring their markets and stores just to get fresh rhubarb...and to post up something this week.

Unknown said...

Adriana, before this, neither did I! I really should have done what you did and caught up with one of the past FFWD recipes too....but next time I'll know better ;-).

Kris' Kitchen said...

I just love your creativity and your ideas. And my part of the world does not do well in the rhubarb department either. Popsicles...what a great treat and would be perfect around here. thanks for your ideas. Great and beautiful post.

penny aka jeroxie said...

Love what you did but not love the canned rhuburb. look so different!

Unknown said...

Kris, looking at the hot weather you've had over there, these Popsicles would be a hit! Thank you for dropping by ;-).

Unknown said...

Penny@Jeroxie, I didn't think the canned rhubarb looked hot either but once it was made into yummy popsicle form, I completely forgot how ugly they looked!

Anonymous said...

Now I was definitely not expecting popsicles! They look amazing! Love your photos, they are so vibrant and professional looking! Great post, as always!

Ana Helena said...

Fantastic flavor combination. Beautiful colors. Thanks for sharing it.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

How nice! I haven't tried rhubarb yet and I really like how you prepared these Popsicles! It's rally warm today and this would be a nice treat. I love the combination of all flavors you chose. Very refreshing, and doesn't look too sweet either.

Erin said...

What great flavors!! These look so pretty and perfect for summer! Great pictures!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic work-around for out-of-season rhubarb. Love the photos and the popsicles sound delicious.

Nancy said...

Colorful and beautiful as always. So I have to admit that I laughed at the ketchup joke, hehe :) I'm a big dork I know. It's so great you still participated in the FFWD and really made it your own. The popsicles look like they tasted amazing. Love your beautiful flowers.

Unknown said...

Thank you Doristas and friends for your wonderful comments. It's not a FFWD post but I'm touched you still had a peek. It's my first time with rhubarb, and having rhubarb in popsicles... it feels awkward but good at the same time! Phew, thank goodness that's over :-).

Unknown said...

Nancy@Spicie Foodie, I found the ketchup joke funny too...that's why I posted it up. That makes us dorks-in-arms! Haha... A majority of the popsicle stick jokes are dire though, and I'd have to eat a few popsicles to get a good laugh. Hmm, not such a bad idea.

Related Posts with Thumbnails