Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas [Hardcover]

Fany Gerson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 2011

From the pure, radiant flavors of classic Blackberry and Spicy Pineapple to unexpectedly enchanting combinations such as Sour Cream, Cherry and Tequila, or Strawberry-Horchata, Paletas is an engaging and delicious guide to Mexico’s traditional—and some not-so-traditional—frozen treats.
 
Collected and developed by celebrated pastry chef Fany Gerson, this sweet little cookbook showcases her favorite recipes for paletas, those flavor-packed ice pops made from an enormous variety of fruits, nuts, flowers, and even spices; plus shaved ice (raspados) and aguas frescas—the delightful Mexican drinks featuring whole fruit and exotic ingredients like tamarind and hibiscus flowers.
 
Whether you’re drawn to a simple burst of fresh fruit—as in the Coconut, Watermelon, or Cantaloupe pops—or prefer adventurous flavors like Mezcal-Orange, Mexican Chocolate, Hibiscus-Raspberry, or Lime Pie, Paletas is an inviting, refreshing guide guaranteed to help you beat the heat.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sample Recipe from Paletas: Paletas de Yogurt con Moras
(Yogurt Ice Pops with Berries)

MAKES 8 TO 10

1 lemon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups plain unsweetened Greek-style yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
2 cups fresh blackberries, or the berry of your choice

Rinse the lemon, then peel it. (This recipe uses only the peel, so save the lemon for a different use.) Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar has dissolved. Add the lemon peel, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, then refrigerate until chilled.

Put the yogurt and honey in a blender, add the chilled syrup, and blend to combine. Pour a bit of the yogurt mixture into each of the molds, to a height of about 3/4 inch. Freeze until the mixture begins to set, about 40 minutes. If the blackberries are big, cut them in half. Divide the blackberries among the molds, then pour in the remaining yogurt mixture, dividing it evenly among the molds.

If using conventional molds, snap on the lid and freeze until solid, 3 to 4 hours. If using glasses or other unconventional molds, freeze until the pops are beginning to set (45 minutes to 1 hour), then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, 3 to 4 hours. If using an instant ice pop maker, gently fold the blackberries into the yogurt prior to filling the molds and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Review

“The most notable contenders to the cupcake throne are macarons, whoopie pies, and, my personal favorite: ice pops. The 27-degree temps right now notwithstanding, I'm ready to crack open Fany Gerson's Paletas. Gerson's My Sweet Mexico was one of my favorite cookbooks of 2010, and Paletas looks to be equally wonderful, with recipes for ice pops in flavors ranging from coconut and mango-chile to horchata-strawberry and dulce de leche. Gerson plans to open a shop in New York serving paletas, ice cream, sorbets, and aguas frescas in late spring.”
—Publishers Weekly Spring 2011 Announcements: Top 10 Cookbooks, 1/24/11

“Lickably luscious, Paletas lets you freeze your own authentic icy Mexican treats, from the spiced (with chiles) to the spiked (with tequila)—and everything in between!”
—David Lebovitz, author of Ready for Dessert, The Sweet Life in Paris, and The Perfect Scoop
 
“Fany Gerson has followed up the triumph of My Sweet Mexico with Paletas, an engagingly written look at Mexico’s frozen treats and refreshing drinks.No one is better suited to introduce us to this delicious branch of Mexican culinary tradition that so deserves to be better known.”
—Nick Malgieri, author of BAKE!: Essential Techniques for Perfect Baking

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (June 7, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1607740354
• ISBN-13: 978-1607740353
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.7 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > Latin American
  • #2 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > Mexican
  • #29 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Baking > Desserts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really? $11 dollars for the secrets of freezing s***?, June 17, 2011

By 

Casa Clark - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas (Hardcover)

My spouse's exact words after getting the invoice as we share an account; he would have never known but I got this via kindle. I've only just made the spicy pineapple, but it was seriously mind blowing. Our friend has made us some paletas from this book and they were equally as delicious and unique. The BEST $11 dollars I have spent in a while. You should get this book NOW. You won't regret it.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! For kids and adults, June 8, 2011

By 

K. Gill "In the Kitchen With" (Nashville) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas (Hardcover)

I certainly never thought I'd go gaga over a book about Popsicles, but all I can say is WOW. This book is beautiful and well-written, easy to use, interesting flavors (like spicy pineapple! or roasted banana or rice pudding!). Some pops are cream (or greek yogurt) based, others are fruit based. I heard someone mention how great an avocado pop was, and I couldn't conceive of it, now I have a recipe.

It's not just popsicles though, it's also "aguas frescas" and shaved ice. Some aguas frescas are rice based! Gotta try it!


The photography is amazing, the story is endearing, the instructions are simple, the ingredients are common. You can make these for your kids or your kids can help, and I really think popsicles are the new macaron, and have been since last summer...(2010)... So you can even impress your adult friends with what you turn out.

This is one monothematic book worth having.

This book is for anyone who wants to make an unexpected and pleasant treat for themselves or guests.

No special equipment necessary, but I've been told by many that this little machine is wonderful Zoku Quick Pop Maker and now that I have this book I have

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paletas Are Hot!, June 23, 2011

By 

Shutterpug (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas (Hardcover)

Progressive International PLP-1 Freezer Pop Maker

I bought this book because I enjoyed a watermelon-basil paleta at a chili cook-off in Dallas, Texas. Now summer is here and I want to make my own.

Though I own an extensive cookbook library... I had nothing devoted to popsicles/paletas. If you like to cook, and if you like to cook with the kids in the kitchen... this is a "must have".

I have made the watermelon popsicles and they are delicious and refreshing. (See the photo).

The recipes in the book are easy to follow and include lots of photos. There are ice pops, shaved ices (raspados), and drinks (aguas frescas). Perfect for summertime entertaining! These recipes are inexpensive to make, do not take long to prepare, and will delight your family and friends.

I recently made the Spicy Pineapple Ice Pops (see the accompanying photo). Incredible! The Paletas de Cajeta (caramel ice pops) sound absolutely sinful! Ooooo... and how about a Mangonadas (spicy mango ice)?

Buy this book! Better yet... buy two and give one as a hostess gift when invited to a picnic this summer!