Monday, April 26, 2010

Tasty Tuesday!

Quick giveaway reminder before I forget. Go here for a chance to win an Energizer Smart Charger.

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It's Tuesday again, and we're working on summer in Chicago. It isn't here yet - although we at least saw the sun. I'm not desperate enough to call high 50s summer. (Although, give me a couple more weeks and maybe I will!) Tonight we had a special dessert: snow cones.

Yep, good old fashioned snow cones. In fact, I actually have one of the Snoopy Snow Cone machines that I picked up at our church's rummage sale a couple years ago for $0.50.


Yep, that really is the original one with the snowman syrup squirter and shovel to get the snow out and everything.  Ahhh, memories!


The big problem comes in the flavoring though. Getting shaved ice? Not too hard (although hand cranking four bowls? No need to get to the gym! My Vitamix could probably do a decent job now that I think about it. Eh.

Back to the flavoring. There are tons of syrups out there, but surprise, surprise - they're full of high fructose corn syrup, which means they're out of bounds for us. In searching online, I found recipes to make my own snow cone syrup, but it always called for Kool-Aid, which sorta seemed like it was defeating the purpose of making my own.

After a couple of hours noodling on this, I finally came up with a (brilliant?) idea. Thinking back to the cupcakes I made for Little Miss's half birthday, I decided to essentially make a simple syrup using fruit.

And the results? I got rave reviews from my crew, so the leftover syrup is going in the fridge (or perhaps I need to move it to the freezer) to await a suitably hot day to make some more snow cones!

Homemade Snow Cone Syrup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c strawberries (I used fresh since they're in season)
1 1/2 c frozen cherries (I had the sweet dark cherries, but again I'd like to try this with the tart ones - my sweet tooth isn't so strong)
1/2 c sugar
1 t vanilla
zest of half a lemon

Directions:
It doesn't get easier than this. Add the ingredients to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Boil for two to three minutes.

Place the mixture in a blender and zap it until it's as smooth as your blender will make it (gotta love the Vitamix for this one). Strain, and chill.

Spoon just a small amount over shaved ice. Thin with a bit of water if you like, but I liked it nice and thick (still very pourable just not as viscous as the traditional neon colored syrups). This would also be pretty darn good over ice cream, a theory my husband promises to test out later tonight.


10 comments:

mr. pineapple man April 26, 2010 at 9:24 PM  

good for you! you made your own syrup! thanks for sharing the recipe~

Brenda April 26, 2010 at 10:16 PM  

I never thought of doing this but its a great idea.

the country cook April 26, 2010 at 11:40 PM  

Oh my! Making your own syrup??? That's fantastic!

Laura April 26, 2010 at 11:53 PM  

a fantastic addition to meatless monday!! I love a healthy version of ANYTHING!!

Umm if you hear someone crashing around late at night it's just me coming to get that sweet snoopy sno cone maker--LOVE!! WANT!!

Alexis AKA MOM April 27, 2010 at 12:04 AM  

Oh man my best friend had one of those and we loved it!!! I have no clue where it is but I'll have to ask her!

Aubree Cherie April 27, 2010 at 6:13 AM  

What a frugal idea! And just in time for the warmer weather :)

~Aubree Cherie

Together We Save April 27, 2010 at 10:32 AM  

How fun... snow cones!! They look very yummy!

septembermom April 27, 2010 at 6:25 PM  

That's a fun idea!

Steph at Problem Solvin' Mom April 27, 2010 at 9:26 PM  

I tried something similar after your comment on my blog, great idea!
We made key lime flavor, but in case you try it, use 2x as much sugar or prepare to pucker :)

And I need one of those snowcone makers!

Michelle April 27, 2010 at 9:53 PM  

Mr. Pineapple Man - LOVE the name. Truly. And yes, of course I made my own syrup. It was lots of fun and super quick.

Brenda - I didn't either until I realized what my alternatives were. So glad I did!

The Country Cook - But it's so easy! I think we forget that a lot of times....

Laura - Don't you think? Nope, you can't have it. BUT I promise that if I find another one, I'll mail it to you.

Alexis - Weren't those fun? Ahh the memories of childhood!

Aubree Cherie - Totally frugal, and a little goes so far. We'll definitely be using this syrup again and again!

Denise - They were. It's possible some of the bowls were licked clean.

Kelly - Fun and easy!

Steph - Ohhh ummmm yeah... key lime. OR you could use it with mberry!

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