Refreshing Mint Yogurt Popsicles
The other day I was flipping through an old cookbook (surprise, surprise) when I saw a recipe for tan. This recipe intrigued me for multiple reasons. One, I had never heard of "tan." Two, the recipe only called for a handful of ingredients. And three, one of those ingredients was mint, which I love more than any other herb.
For those who aren't familiar, tan (AKA doogh, dove, dhallë or tahn) is a popular drink in Southeastern Europe and Western Asia. Its primary ingredients are yogurt, water, salt and, occasionally, mint. These ingredients combine to create a deliciously refreshing and savory drink. (Pst! I love this recipe by Ahu Eats!)
Obviously, this recipe is not tan. However, learning about tan inspired me to create a simple and effective mint and yogurt concoction. Instead of channeling tan’s savory vibes, these mint yogurt popsicles are a sweet and refreshing summer treat. And just like tan, the ingredients couldn't be simpler and the methods couldn't be easier!
Let me know what you think of the recipe and don't forget to follow the sustainability tips below!
Time: at least 12 hours
Makes: 3-4 popsicles
Ingredients
1 cup loosely packed mint leaves
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups plain yogurt
Methods
Add mint leaves and sugar to a medium bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon for a few minutes, or until the mint starts to break down and the sugar takes on a green hue.
Add the yogurt to the mint and sugar and stir to combine. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
Strain the yogurt mixture into a small bowl, using a spatula to help you push the yogurt through the strainer. Discard (hopefully via compost!) the mint leaves.
Divide the mixture between popsicle molds (or use cups and spoons!). Freeze overnight and eat up!
Sustainability Tips
Mint: Grow the mint in your own backyard or buy it from a local farmer. If you buy locally, this will save a bunch of GHG emissions during transportation. Buying locally is also economically and socially sustainable because it can help you get to know your community and support your neighborhood economy.
Yogurt: Dairy is generally pretty terrible for the environment, so buy yogurt from a brand you trust. I like to buy my dairy from B Corp companies (like Stonyfield or Clover Sonoma!) because they are held to high environmental and social standards. Alternatively, you could experiment with non-dairy yogurt in this recipe.