Making Popsicles for One Adult or Two Children
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Cooking for One - Desserts or anytime treats
I couldn't decide whether an article or the recipe made sense as to the proper format but came to the conclusion that it would do better in the recipe grouping. The Zoku Quick Pop Maker is the key. It comes in three sizes--a single a double and a 3 treat size. Now the unit is quite expensive but it does a remarkable job.
WARNING IT IS NOT A TOY. DO NOT TOUCH THE TOP PLATE OF THE MAKER AFTER IT HAS BEEN FROZEN
If you want tot be reminded of what it was like to get your tongue stuck on a frozen pipe, then it's your choice but I think it is best to heed the warnings of the manufacturer and handle the unit by its sides.
I used to do a lot of woodworking and had the greatest respect for quality tools. It always made the job easier and this product is in fact a quality tool. I bought the double unit because my freezer compartment isn't that big and after I paid all the middlemen to get one here in Canada it cost a lot more than you American readers will pay because you can get it direct from Zuko. The sticks, handles, drip catchers and release knob are high quality and I got 4 sticks and drip catchers in my 2 unit package. Yes its made in China but it was designed in the US. One day everyone will learn that if nobody is working in North America, then nobody will be able to afford your product so maybe Zoku you might want to rethink that idea for the long run.
They suggest 7-9 minutes on the counter before you remove the pop but I use 10 minutes and it works just fine. You keep the unit in the freezer because the inside is a gel much like the stuff you see in those freezer packs you used in your beer cooler at one time or another. Yes some people put food in those but it takes away space for the beer.
You take the unit out of the freezer by its sides (DONT TOUCH THE TOP) and place it on the counter and this is where the fun is. You put the sticks into the slots (they only go one way). You put whatever you like into these things up to the fill line. Set your timer to 10 minutes and then go use the knob thingy to remove one of the pops. You just screw it in counterclockwise (righty tighty for you younger folks who don't know what an analog clock is) and it basically works like a puller in the automotive shop. It sometimes takes a little effort to get them out and a little warm water might be needed to coax the real stubborn ones but so far no problem.
Unscrew the knob and insert the drip catcher and enjoy. It won't take long to enjoy the first one so you can just go back for seconds here. Supposedly the unit stays cold enough to do a second batch but it will take longer to freeze. I haven't tried that yet and just put the unit back in the freezer so I don't have to wait another 24 hours for the gel to freeze.
Freeze and Prep Time
Generic stuff you need
- 1 Zoku Quick Pop Maker
- 1 cup juice or other liquid
- 1 sweetener, honey and cane sugar worked well
- small pieces of fruit, chocolate chips, (optional)
Covered instructions at the top
- I have only tried two recipes so far and will add more as I do
- I used my Lemon Ice Tea recipe and it was great (link at the bottom of the page). Even better with honey instead of sugar. Forgot the pictures again lol.
- Mixed a banana, 1/2 cup 1% milk, liquid honey, and an ice cube, ran it through the immersible blender and drank what didn't fit in the freezing cavities. The honey made for a really different flavour. Keeper
- All of the 1.75L milk carton type drinks seemed to work well and taste good like those from 5-Alive, Frutopia, Minute Maid and Oasis.
Other stuff
Zoku suggest you don't use drinks that have artificial sweeteners which is sound advice on its own but it seems that aspartame doesn't freeze too well.
Read the instructions on washing the unit and don't stick it in the dishwasher just like you should never put your good kitchen knives in there; otherwise, you will have to read my article on how to sharpen a knife properly.
You can play with all those funny angles and stuff if you want to impress someone but I like to go by something my mom taught me which is it all looks the same when its down there. She had to feed 3 boys so food appearance was rather secondary. Taste is a lot more important than looks but even my quick pops looked quite neat. No pictures, I ate them too fast.
To do layers successfully, you need to let the lower levels freeze up a little before you pour in the next colour so that seemed a bit much for the first test batches so I will try that later because the different flavours would be a nice variety. Making a creamsicle style pop requires that you insert a straw and somehow let the outside freeze up for maybe half the time and then pour in the filling but that seems like a lot of work to make some fancysmanshy popsicle. We are creating mouth watering treats not something that goes in an art museum.
