Seasonal Snacks To Try This Summer

It might not feel like summer in Manchester this year – but sadly there’s no avoiding it anymore, it’s June and we better start facing the facts! Although it just won’t seem to start raining, I’m trying my best to embrace the season and one of the ways I like to do this is to switch up my meals to reflect that. Today I’m sharing some of my favourite seasonal snacks inspired by Summer 2019 food trends – yum!

The classic British ice cream bowl

Remember when you were a kid and the ice cream van sounded down the street? That was one of the things we all looked forward to in summer. However the vans used walls vanilla ice cream that is specially made in the ice cream machines so you can’t get that soft creamy stuff in the shops. However we all know what the best and classic ice cream item to get was. A vanilla ice cream, with a Cadbury’s flake and drizzled with raspberry sauce. Quite clearly this is the winner for many kids around the country and it’s been replicated all around the world. So here’s how to make your own in a bowl at home.

Making vanilla ice cream is easier than you might think. Scald some double rich cream, which means bring it just to the boil and then immediately take it off the heat. Quickly add the vanilla pods and leave the cream to cool off. When it’s cold, take out the pods and scrape the seeds into the cream. Dissolve some sugar into cold water, then boil this mixture until it is a sticky but flowing consistency. Next take some egg yolks and whisk them hard. When smooth add the syrup you just created. When the mixture becomes a light airy mousse then quickly pour in the cream. At this point you need to add this to your ice cream machine until it’s frozen. All that’s left is the flake chocolate and a drizzle of raspberry sauce on top of your scoops. 

Homemade frappuccino

If you’re British you might see iced tea as an abomination, a sin to the realm one could say. Tea should only be drank hot and with milk. But iced coffee is far more acceptable, in fact the frappuccino has taken the world by storm. It’s a refreshing but uplifting drink and can be multi-textured to add layers to beverage. First things first, you need some coffee. But not just any old coffee, the best coffee beans that have multiple different flavors will do nicely. Check out the Brazil blend called Fazenda Recanto. It’s has three different taste tones which as stone fruit, chocolate and nuts. A fruity but full of musk coffee bean that can be made at home using your coffee grinder. 

Make a cup of coffee with the now ground beans and add it to a blender full of ice. Then add some milk and sugar to taste. At this point you can add different things that will be to your liking such as chocolate sauce, strawberry smoothie, or perhaps orange puree. Pour into a glass and finish off with some whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel or melted fudge. 

Mixed berry cocktail

This next one will take about 1 minute if you have all the ingredients at the ready. Take a plateful of mixed berries consisting of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackcurrants. Drop them all into a juice and collect the smoothie. Into a blender pour some of your favorite alcoholic beverages such as vodka, some gin, rum or disaronno. Make sure it’s not too thick like a beer or ale however, else the consistency won’t be pleasant. Blend with some ice until incredibly smooth and watery. Pour into a whiskey glass with one ice cube and enjoy. 

You can also add some finishing touches that add a little bite to your cocktail. Pineapple chunks on a toothpick are quite popular. A slice of lemon hanging from the rim is another good idea. A slice of peach or pear is also a nice touch that adds a new texture to the drink. 

White chocolate and milk sickles 

Simple, quick and easy, the ice sickle has been a favorite of millions of families. You do need to first buy an ice sickle tray as well as ice sickle sticks. These are easily found and very cheap. It’s up to you what kind of shape you want them to be which is part of the fun of making them at home. Buy some high quality white chocolate and full fat milk. You will first need to melt the chocolate and add it into some scalded milk. The reason why you need a high quality white chocolate block bar is because the full fat milk can mask the flavor because it is so rich.

Then when you have blended the milk and chocolate together, you can pour the mixture into the tray. Put the tray in the freezer for approximately 6 hours. You can take the ice sickles out of the tray easier if you leave them in the sun for around 2 to 3 minutes. The creaminess of the full fat milk and the sweetness of the white chocolate go perfectly together on a hot summer day.