Welcome to summer! Well… close enough. My kids seem to act like it’s summer, as they are already jumping into the sprinklers and our pool in the backyard – in MAY! I talked with all of the Moms in our neighborhood and they all said that popsicles are flying fast out of their homes. Glad to know it’s not just our kids! Ahh warm temperatures… lazy days approaching… summer.
When I look at the cost of the healthy popsicles at the grocery store, I nearly fall over. I know that if I give them that variety, they will quickly get eaten just like the jumbo pack of 36 for $2. I like to keep the cheap ones in the house, just for the sake of cost, but looking at what they are made of…it’s just pure sugar!! Being a food savvy Mom, I have begun to look for better options and discovered that there are beautiful choices out there just beckoning to be tried. One in particular has caught my attention, and I plan on trying them out this weekend!
Mexican Paletas, have been around for a long time, and it made me wonder why I didn’t see them before? I guess I’m wrapped up in my little suburban a little too much at times! So what are Paletas? It is a light popsicle made with either water or cream and has a few popular flavors usually mixed in. Some varieties are:
- Coconut
- Mango
- Tamarind
- Watermelon
- Arroz con Leche
Seriously way different flavors than my American palate is used to seeing. LOVE IT!!
Want to try a recipe? Let me refer you to two people that have beautiful recipes. And by all means, drop in on their sites and give them the credit if you love what you see!
Mango Paletas (by Sweet Life – Vianney Rodriguez)
serves 10
2 large mangos or 4 small , peeled and diced
1/2 cup water
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp fresh lime juicePlace all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Add more water if needed.
Pour into a paleta mold, insert wooden sticks and freeze for about 4 hours. Run your mold under warm water to loosen the paleta.
I love that recipe… Vianney even kicks it up one notch by sprinkling the paleta with chile! Cha cha cha!!!
The following recipe takes a bit more time, but it looks absolutely delicious and probably worth every moment of time.
Coconut Milk Paleta with Mango bits (by Fork Fingers Chopsticks)
1 (14 oz. can) unsweetened coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup agave or honey
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup water or milk*
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1 cup mango, diced in ½ inch cubes
Method
In a small sauce pan, bring the coconut milk, vanilla, agave, cream and water to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and chill in the refrigerator until the mixture is no longer hot (about 15 minutes). Add the shredded coconut and mango. Stir and pour into popsicle molds, distributing the chunks of fruit evenly. Freeze until solid (about 3-4 hours). Remove from popsicle mold and enjoy.
*Use more water/milk to thin/dilute and make less creamy popsicles.
You should see the pictures (hint, go to the site and see!!) It is a creamy popsicle with pretty orange mango bites throughout. Gorgeous! I think paletas will be, if not already, the next food trend out there. I have seen people creating some pretty amazing popsicles lately. So get in that kitchen and get fancy with the popsicle making!!
Salud!
Photo Courtesy of Wendalicious
Andrea
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Oh these look so yummy! I love coconut milk.