Legend has it that on July 4, 1776, when John Adams — who fought for independence and eventually because the second President of the United States — and his wife, Abigail, sat down for a meal to celebrate the birth of their independent country, they dined on turtle soup. The remainder of their meal included New England poached salmon with egg sauce, green peas, and boiled new potatoes in jackets. For dessert they enjoyed Indian pudding or Apple Pandowdy.

These days, turtle soup is a rarity, but at one time it was a summer delicacy. When the weather got warm, early Americans got their turtle-catching nets ready and headed down to the turtle pond, whereas in 2013, most families fire up a grill loaded with hotdogs and hamburgers. Our side dishes are grilled corn, coleslaw and potato salad, potato chips, and for dessert some say nothing is as “American as Apple Pie.”

In honor of our nation’s Independence Day, and the scorching summer many of us seem to be experiencing, I long for all things cool. So here it is: Patriotic Popsicles! In honor of the ‘ole red, white and blue these pops feature white chocolate, raspberries and blueberries. Have a sweet 4th (and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Big Papa who was born on this day)!

Take the road less traveled,

Beth

Patriotic Popsicle Recipe: White chocolate with raspberries and blueberries

Makes approximately six popsicles (depending on the size of your popsicle mold)

• 1 1/3 cup (330ml) cream, half-n-half or whole milk (depending on how rich you’d like your popsicles to be)
• 4 ounces (110g) white chocolate, finely chopped (Use good white chocolate if you can, instead of white chocolate chips. I used Green and Black’s Organic White Chocolate)
• pinch of salt
• 12-14 ounces (175g) mixed fresh or frozen berries (I just kept filling until the fruit was almost to the top of the mold)

1. In a small saucepan, warm the milk, white chocolate, and salt over low heat, stirring, until the chocolate is melted.

2. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

3. Fill the popsicles molds with berries, pour the white chocolate mixture over them, and rap them molds gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.

4. Freeze the popsicles until very firm (~6-8 hours).

Note: You could easily substitute any berries you like: cut strawberries, blackberries, etc.

For more patriotic deliciousness, check out Wanderfood Wednesday!