Exotic Ice Cubes Recipes

Steps:

• Lightly flour a work surface and roll out both puff pastry sheets into 12-inch squares. Lay half of 1 piece of pastry over a 12-compartment ice cube tray (the remaining half of the pastry will hang off the tray) then gently use the back of your fingers (or the handle of a wooden spoon) to press the dough down into each compartment of the tray. Repeat with the remaining pastry and tray.
• Fill 6 of the ice cube compartments in the same row each with 1 piece of cornichon, 1 piece of ham and 1 tablespoon gruyere cheese. Fill the next 6 ice cube compartments in the same row each with 3 mozzarella pearls, 1/2 teaspoon pesto and 2 slices sun-dried tomatoes. Fill the next 6 ice cube compartments in the same row each with 1 candied pecan, 2 red grape halves, 1 piece of brie and a pinch of black pepper. Stir together the cream cheese, scallion, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl and stir until completely combined. Fill the last 6 ice cube compartments in the same row each with 1 shrimp then a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture.
• Brush the edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg then fold the puff pastry over the ice cube tray so that it completely covers the filling. Cut the excess puff pastry from around the upper edges of the ice cube trays then use your fingers to press the dough together so that it is sealed. Put the ice cube trays in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Position a rack in the center and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Use your fingers to gently loosen the puff pastry from the ice cube trays then flip out onto a cutting board. Use a knife to trim the edges of the dough to 1/4-inch-wide. Cut in between each ice cube compartment to free each filled compartment. Use a fork to crimp the edges of all the ice cube bites, making sure to keep the flavors separate.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Put the ice cube bites on the baking sheet, keeping the flavors separate). Brush the beaten egg on top of the puff pastry then sprinkle the ham bites with the remaining gruyere cheese, lay a slice of sun-dried tomato on top of the pesto bites, sprinkle black pepper on the brie bites.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet about halfway, until the bites are puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a serving platter. Top the shrimp bites with the remaining lemon zest.

Steps:

• Place the hibiscus flowers in a teapot. Bring 1½ cups (360 ml) of the filtered water to a boil, then remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes, until it reaches 180°F (82°C). Pour the water over the hibiscus and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain.
• Fill an ice cube tray with the concentrated hibiscus tea and freeze until set.
• Place the black tea leaves in a large spouted container. Bring the remaining 8 cups (2 L) water to a boil, then remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes, until it reaches 180°F (82°C). Pour the water over the tea and let steep for 5 minutes.
• Fill a pitcher with the plain ice cubes. Strain the black tea through a fine-mesh sieve into the pitcher and discard the tea leaves.
• Pour the tea into glasses filled partway with hibiscus ice cubes. Garnish each glass with a lemon wheel and serve.
• For an Inside-Out Arnold Palmer, pour San Pellegrino Limonata over black tea ice cubes and garnish with a lemon wheel.
• For a Green Tea Glee, pour Topo Chico over green tea ice cubes and garnish with a mint sprig.

Steps:

• Combine watermelon, water, honey, lemon juice and sugar in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.
• Place mint leaves in ice trays. Pour watermelon mixture into ice trays. Freeze.

Steps:

• Mince herb (s) of choice.
• Pack minced herb (s) into an ice cube tray, each 3/4 full.
• Fill with boiling water, (this will blanch the herbs before freezing and will help them retain their flavor and color).
• Once the herbal ice cubes are frozen, you can pop them out of their tray and into freezer bags for storage.
• Use as needed.

Steps:

• Empty the ice cubes that are left in the trays (if there are any left) into the bin.
• Take the trays over to the sink and fill them with cold water. (Hot water will freeze faster and more clear).
• Place the water filled ice trays back in the freezer.
• Replace the ice bin if you had to remove it.
• Shut the door to the freezer.
• Be sure to leave for around 4-6 hours at least to make sure it is frozen.
• If you want to experiment, you can freeze things like fruit infused waters or juices.

Steps:

• Keeping each fruit separate, whiz the flesh in a blender until smooth.
• Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
• Defrost for about 5 minutes prior to serving.

Steps:

• Cut 3 (1/4-inch thick) slices from 1 lemon.
• Quarter each slice.
• Make fruity ice cubes by placing the quartered lemon slices in an ice cube tray.
• Fill tray with water and freeze until ice cubes form.
• Transfer cubes to a pitcher of lemonade or iced tea or serve individually.

Steps:

• Mix lime juice and sugar till dissolved.
• Add water mix and pour into 2 ice cube trays.
• Place 1 lime wedge and 1 mint leaf in each section. Top with additional water if need. Freeze till solid.
• Enjoy!