5 Favorite Popsicle Recipes to Beat the Summer Heat!

Did You Know?

The popsicle was invented by an eleven-year-old boy.

In 1905, eleven-year-old Frank Epperson from San Francisco, California invented the popular hot weather treat, the Popsicle as we know it today. However, the invention supposedly came about as a pure accident! According to the Popsicle company, one cold evening Frank left a mixture of powder flavored soda water with a stir stick in it on the porch. Because of the cold weather outside, he awoke to a frozen treat on a stick.

Seventeen years later, in 1922, Epperson served his ice lollipops at a Fireman’s ball and they were a huge hit. It didn’t take long then for Epperson to realize the commercial possibilities of his accidental invention. A year later, in 1923, he introduced the frozen pop on a stick to the public at Neptune Beach, an amusement park in Alameda, California. It was a big success. He soon after applied and received a patent for a “frozen confectionery”, in 1924, which he named the “Epsicle Ice Pop”. He began producing it in different fruit flavors on birch wood sticks.

Enjoy 5 of my favorite variations on the popsicle found around the web by 5 wonderful food bloggers -- from the Coconut Lime Pop to the Mango Pineapple flavor!

1.  Coconut Lime Popsicles by Kelli at The Corner Kitchen

2.  Peach & Lavender Sangria Popsicles by A Thought for Food

3.  Strawberry Shortcake Greek Yogurt Popsicles by The Kitchen Paper

4.  Sea Salted Limoncello Popsicles by Pink Patisserie

5.  Mango Pineapple Popsicles by Grandbaby Cakes

Poblano-Stuffed Burger with Mango Salsa and Guacamole

A roasted poblano and jack cheese-stuffed burger topped with mango salsa and guacamole.  Just too good.Try something new this Fourth of July. 

Ingredients:

Burgers:

2 lbs. ground meat (we used turkey, but use whatever you prefer)

1 to 1 1/2 cups grated or thinly sliced jack cheese

2 large poblano peppers

4 good hamburger buns, lightly toasted

Guacamole:

2 large ripe avocados, mashed

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice (to taste)

Salt and pepper

Mango Salsa:

2 cups chopped pitted peeled mango (2 mangos)

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

2/3 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

4 teaspoons olive oil

Directions:

Roast the poblano peppers over a flame or in the oven until blackened.  Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let steam for about 20 minutes.  When cooled, peel off the skin (do not rinse), slice open, remove the seeds and slice into pieces that will roughly fit on the burger.

For the burgers, divide the meat into 8ths and form 8 thin patties.  Top 4 of the patties with slices of poblano chile and then grated jack cheese.  Top with the other 4 patties.  Seal the edges really well and pat into a nice shape. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the mango salsa, mix all ingredients in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.) Makes about 2 3/4 cups

Combine guacamole ingredients last.

Grill the burgers 5 to 6 minutes per side.  Spread guacamole on the bottom bun (and the top too, if you want), place a burger on top and then top with mango salsa.