It is well and truly summer now in Australia and how I love it!!! Yes, it’s been outrageously hot the last few days, but it always cools off beautifully in the evening, and mornings are absolute sunshiny perfection.

Yesterday I spent a wonderful afternoon in my veggie garden, basking in sunshine and gathering my first harvest of baby heirloom beets, radishes and swedes.

beets from the garden

I was never much of a gardener, but now it seems part of me, awakening that earthy side that loves going barefoot and wearing sundresses whenever possible.

After a slow start my tomatoes are producing and I’m so happy!!! To me nothing quite says summer like ripe tomatoes still warm from the sun. I’ve been eating them like mad in salads with eggs and of course with big chunks of buffalo mozzarella.

summer cherry tomatoes

As I prepare for Christmas I’ve been having fun altering beloved recipes to suit the piping hot climate I live in now.

Instead of fresh from the oven pies I make white chocolate cranberry tarts. Instead of lovely roasts and stews, I’m sticking to splendid sandwiches layered with delicious meats and slathered with caramelized onion spread. Rather than steaming cups of hot apple cider, I’ve been making apple cider popsicles spiced with cinnamon, cloves and star anise. They are so good!!

apple cider popsicle

Have you ever spent Christmas in a hot place? What cold foods would make you feel holiday-ish?

Spiced Apple Cider Popsicles

Ingredients:

8 cups apple juice (fresh is best, but bottled works fine too)
1 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
4-6 cloves

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot or in saucepan over low heat.
  2. Simmer on low for 1-2 hours until juice has absorbed the taste of the spices and the house smells heavenly.
  3. Remove from heat and cool.
  4. When cool, pour into popsicle (ice block) molds and freeze 3-4 hours until solid.
  5. Remove from molds and bite, suck and lick your way through the appley goodness.