Ice cream parlors in Mexico, commonly known as paleterias, are popular year round. The brightly lit stores are lined with rows of refrigerated display cases filled to the brim with a colorful visual feast: paletas. In both Mexico and the United States, paleteros, or ice cream men, push around carts lined with dry ice and filled with these delicious desserts. You can find them in residential areas and popular walking locations, like parks. To know a paletero is headed your way, all you have to do is listen for the distinct jingle of their pushcart bells!
What Are Paletas?
Paletas are a frozen treat made with fresh fruit. The origin of Mexican paletas is not quite clear, though. Many tell the tale of peasants who sought ice from the Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City. It is said they would mix the ice with fruit and serve this special treat to Aztec emperors.
Another explanation comes from the 1800s, when Mexico was celebrating its independence from Spain. Spain’s monopoly and high ice taxes had ceased and that meant ordinary citizens could afford ice and experiment by mixing it with fresh fruit to beat the heat.
The paletas recipe we know today gained popularity in the 1940s in a town named Tocumbo. In Mexico, Tocumbo is known as la cuna de la paleta de hielo, the capital of the frozen pop. It’s also the home of La Michoacana, the famous brand of paleterias with an indigenous doll as its logo.
Strawberry, Basil and Honey Paletas Recipe
This recipe for strawberry paletas is one of my favorites. It’s fruity, fragrant, sweet and refreshing—perfect for a warm summer day outdoors. You can find more paleta recipes in my book, Aguas Frescas y Paletas: Refreshing Mexican Beverages and Frozen Treats, Traditional and Reimagined.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds strawberries
- 2/3 cup fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 cup raw honey (or sweetener of choice)
Tools You’ll Need
Editor’s note: You can also make homemade paletas without a mold—use small paper cups or an ice cube tray instead.
Directions
Step 1: Chop the strawberries
Hull and chop strawberries. Set aside 6 whole strawberries.
Step 2: Blend ingredients
Place the chopped strawberries, basil and lime juice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Step 3: Add sweetener
Add honey or your sweetener of choice to the blended mix. Blend again.
Step 4: Add strawberry slices to mold
Hull and slice remaining whole strawberries. Then, add 3 to 4 slices to each paleta mold.
Step 5: Top with fruit mixture
Fill each paleta mold approximately 3/4 of the way up with fruit mixture.
Step 6: Cover mold, insert sticks and chill
Chill mold in the freezer for 4 hours to overnight. Remove from freezer and let mold sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove lid and pull on wooden stick to release paleta from mold. If the mold does not release the paleta, run the molds under warm water for 20 seconds, gently pulling on the sticks until the paletas are released. You can also dip the bottom of the mold in a large bowl filled with warm water.
Making your own paletas at home is a wonderful activity for a family. Experiment with different fruits, flavor extracts and sweeteners!
Tips for How to Make Paletas
Use fresh fruit
You want fresh fruit at the peak of its season with just the right ripeness. This sweetens and colors the paleta naturally, but you will still need to add a sweetener if you like your paletas a bit more sweet. Please refrain from using food coloring, though.
Sample all kinds of sweetener
You can use any natural sweetener—granulated sugar, cane sugar, honey, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, maple syrup, piloncillo or agave syrup. Your choice, but remember to taste test your sweet, fruity mixture before freezing.
Make creamy paletas
Use yogurt, cream or milk to make cool and creamy paletas.
Kick up the heat
You can make spicy paletas, too! Here’s what you can add:
- Chamoy: A chile sauce made with salt, sugar and pickled apricots or tamarind.
- Tajín: A powdered seasoning made with various types of powdered chili, lime and salt.
Frozen Banana Cereal Pops
When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Peach Crisp Parfait Pops
My little ones love fruit crisps and Popsicles. I created a healthy and delicious treat that combines the two. For a sweet addition, use cinnamon sticks in place of the pop sticks. —Carmell Childs, Ferron, Utah
Maple Mocha Pops
"One is just not enough," my husband says of these creamy pops. They're a breeze to make, and kids love them, too. You might also freeze in pretty serving cups and top with whipped cream for a grownups' "frappaccino" presentation. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan
Blueberry Cream Pops
Blueberry and cream pops are such a fun after-school snack. Make them in the morning so the pops are ready to go when the kids come in the door. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Lemon-Apricot Fruit Pops
With just 31 calories and less than 1 tsp. sugar per serving, this is one light and refreshing summer dessert everyone can find room for! —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho Learn more about making popsicles.
Fruit Juice Pops
I've used this recipe for years as a refreshing treat. My children enjoyed these pops more than any store-bought ones I ever brought home. They taste great with either pineapple or orange juice. Try freezing and serving in cups made from hollowed-out oranges. —Barbara Stewart, Garland, Texas These popsicle molds are perfect for summer.
Orange Cream Pops
For a lower-fat alternative to ice cream-filled pops, try slurping this citrus novelty. The tangy orange flavor will make your taste buds tingle—while the silky smooth texture offers cool comfort, no matter how high the temperatures soar. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rocky Road Fudge Pops
These sweet frozen treats are simple to prepare and guaranteed to bring out the kid in anyone. The creamy pops feature a special chocolate and peanut topping.—Karen Grant, Tulare, California
Coconut Milk Strawberry-Banana Pops
These four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You'll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Cool off with more no-bake summer treats.
Strawberry-Citrus Freezer Pops
I knew that clementines and strawberries would create a luscious combination in a fruit pop, and I have to say these are delicious! —Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops
These delicious ice pops can also be made with raspberries or blackberries. The rosemary sprig and lemon zest bring another layer of flavor. The pops are quick, easy, kid-friendly and freezable. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Cantaloupe Ice Pops
Your reminders to "eat your fruit" will finally stick once kids take a lick of these mmm-melony snacks. A perfect use for overripe cantaloupe, these pops make a light dessert or healthy between-meal refresher. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Sunrise Pops
Bright, beautiful, cool, refreshing, sweet, delicious and wholesome—what's there not to like in these homemade pops?—Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Patriotic Pops
My kids love homemade ice pops, and I love knowing that the ones we make are good for them. We whip up a big batch with multiple flavors so they have many choices, but these patriotic red, white and blueberry ones are always a favorite! —Shannon Carino, Frisco, Texas
Sweet Potato Frozen Yogurt Pops
Once I had my little girl I quickly became really creative in the kitchen, needing to have healthy foods on hand. These frozen treats turned out to be a favorite and are a staple in our home. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Strawberry-Rosemary Yogurt Pops
We planted strawberries a few years ago and these tangy-sweet frozen yogurt pops are my very favorite treats to make with them! The options are endless. Try using other yogurt flavors like lemon, raspberry or blueberry. You may also substitute your favorite herb for the rosemary—or simply omit it. —Carmell Childs, Ferron, Utah
Chocolate Hazelnut Soy Pops
I love Nutella, and I'm always looking for ways to use it. These pops are a great way to stay cool in the summer, but also make a cozy treat in the winter. —Bonita Suter, Lawrence, Michigan
Berry White Ice Pops
Nothing says summer like an ice pop. Kids and adults alike love this fruit-filled version. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut
Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi Pops
Kiwi, pineapple, sugar and water are all you need to make these easy, breezy freezer pops.—Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Birthday Cake Freezer Pops
On my quest to find birthday cake ice cream—my favorite flavor—I came up with these easy ice pops. Now, instead of going to the store whenever a craving hits, I just head to my freezer. —Dawn Lopez, Westerly, Rhode Island
Triple Fruit Freeze
These pops won't turn your tongue blue or neon green like many store-bought pops because they're made with fresh grapes, blueberries and kiwifruit. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls
I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, WisconsinThe post How to Make Strawberry, Basil and Honey Paletas appeared first on Taste of Home.
source https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-make-paletas-recipe/
0 Response to "How to Make Strawberry, Basil and Honey Paletas"
Post a Comment