As you know, I've been trying to beat the heat this week in a number of ways: avoiding the outdoors during the hottest midday hours, sipping cooling beverages, nixing cooking on the stove, sticking my undies in the freezer...you name it!  Okay, maybe not the last one...although I did see Marilyn Monroe do it in The Seven Year Itch to beat the sweltering heat of a New York City summer.  Fortunately for me, things are not quite so dire in the arid Southwest. 

I am, however, more than happy to indulge in these healthy mango chile lime popsicles to keep cool.  Like my pina colada popsicles, I use quality organic ingredients to whip up a tasty frozen treat that has way less sugars than your average store-bought popsicle--and those only natural at that.  All you need is your own popsicle molds to get started.  

These popsicles are a riff on the popular Mexican snack featuring mangoes sprinkled with chile, salt, and lime.  I remember eating mango chile suckers as a child too; there is something perfect about that blend of sweet fruit dusted with spicy chile powder that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.  (And yes, I write 'chile' with an 'e' and not an 'i' because I'm a New Mexican and that's how we spell it...but that's another story for another time!)

I've added an extra twist to this union by using Korean chile paste instead of chile powder.  The result is a sweet, smokey kick at the back of your throat--but be careful, because the heat of this chile sneaks up on you.  I put a little too much chile in my first batch, thinking it would be more sweet than hot.  Wow were we surprised at the spiciness!  With a little tinkering, I finally found the right balance of heat and sweet.  That said, if you like it hot, make it hotter...just go a little at time and sample frequently until you find your right balance.

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen mango chunks

1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

3/4 cup water

1 tsp Korean chile paste

Puree ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Pour mixture into popsicle molds and let sit in freezer for at least two hours or until frozen.  I usually make them a day ahead and let them set overnight.  Let the treats sit on the counter for five to ten minutes and then remove them from the mold.  Eat immediately, with gusto!  Makes about 6 with a little left over for a mango smoothie, tequila optional.