Raspados, also known as shaved ice or Mexican snow cones, are a delicious and refreshing treat that can easily be made at home. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of effort, you can have a tasty dessert in no time.
What is a Raspado?
Raspado is a popular Latin American dessert that consists mainly of shaved ice and is topped with various syrups and sometimes fruits and other toppings. In Mexico, where it is exceptionally popular, raspados come in a variety of flavors and often feature a mix of sweet and spicy ingredients, making them uniquely flavorful. A classic variation includes chamoy, a savory sauce made from pickled fruit mixed with chili, which adds a delightful punch to the sweet ice and other Mexican candies.
Strawberry raspado ingredients
How to make homemade shave ice at home
Shaving ice at home is a straightforward process that can yield excellent results with the right tools and techniques. Let’s explore some of the best methods to achieve that perfect shaved ice texture for your desserts like raspados:
Manual Ice Shavers: These tools are specifically designed for shaving ice and are relatively inexpensive. They typically feature a hand crank that you turn to shave the ice. This method is great for achieving a fine, fluffy texture, similar to snow, which is ideal for raspados and other shaved ice desserts.
Electric Ice Shavers: For a more effortless and quicker option, electric ice shavers can be a great investment, especially if you frequently make shaved ice. These machines work automatically to shave the ice; you just need to feed ice blocks or cubes into them. They are faster than manual shavers and require less physical effort, the down side is that they are kind of bulky and take a lot of storage space.
Food Processor or Blender: If you don’t have an ice shaver, don’t worry! You can use a food processor or a high-powered blender. Simply pulse the ice cubes in short bursts to avoid over-processing, which can lead to a more crushed ice texture than a shaved one. Remember not to overload the processor or blender and to use firm, fresh ice cubes for the best results. Start with 2 cups of ice max.
Sealable Bag and Rolling pin: A more traditional method involves using a sealable bag and rolling pin. Bartenders often use this technique to crush ice for cocktails, but it can be adjusted (by varying the amount of force used) to create finer shaved ice. The more force you apply, the finer the ice will be. Experiment with different levels of pressure to find the texture that suits your preference.
DIY Shaving with a Cheese Grater: My least favorite of all but it is helpful. For a makeshift solution, you can use a cheese grater. This method, often referred to as ‘DIY Shaving with a Cheese Grater ‘, involves grating the ice to achieve a shaved ice texture. Choose the side of the grater that best matches the fineness of the ice you desire. Hold the ice firmly and grate it into a bowl. Be cautious with your fingers as you near the end of the ice block. This method can be labor-intensive and a bit tricky, but it’s a useful hack if no other tools are available.
Tips for Best Results
Use the right ice: Clear, solid blocks of ice tend to shave better than homemade ice from trays, which can be cloudy and may contain impurities that cause it to break unevenly. Clear ice is made by freezing water slowly, which allows any impurities to settle at the bottom of the container. This results in a cleaner, clearer ice block that is easier to shave.
Keep your ice cold: Use ice straight from the freezer. The colder the ice, the better it will shave.
Store shaved ice properly: If you’re not using the shaved ice immediately, store it in a freezer to prevent it from melting and clumping together. You can also consider adding flavored syrups or fruit purees to the shaved ice to enhance its taste. Popular options include strawberry, mango, and lemon.
Explore with different flavors. In Mexico is very common to have different flavored raspados such as watermelon, pineapple, coconut, or tamarid. Explore with your favorite fruits.
Strawberry Raspado (Mexican Shaved Ice) with Chamoy
Equipment
- Shaved Ice Maker
- blender
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups of shaved ice
FRESH STRAWBERRY SYRUP
- 2 cups strawberries, clean and stemless
- 1/2 cup of sugar
TO SERVE
- Chamoy Sauce
- Chopped strawberries
- Tajin powder
Instructions
- Blend the strawberries and sugar until smooth. Set aside.
- Shave the ice using a blender or a special ice shaver if you have one. Divide the shaved ice among four cups or bowls. Pour the fresh strawberry syrup over the ice, followed by a generous drizzle of chamoy sauce. For an added touch of flavor and color, sprinkle some Tajin powder and top with freshly chopped strawberries.
Notes
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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My cookbook is called Yo Cocino Latino..
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