This Summer, Take A Bite Out of Paletas

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot summer days are here and as the mercury rises, Latinos will look for traditional ways to cool down.  For some, braving the sweltering heat means a trip to the beach.  Others will stay at home with the AC at full blast.  And then there are those who know the secret to keeping cool is with good old-fashioned popsicles or "paletas."  Just in time for summer, the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of GOT MILK? and TOMA LECHE, has partnered with Mexican Regional Singer Gerardo Fernandez to bring Latinos back to their roots and enjoy milk-based paleta recipes with the entire family – treats for the young and the young at heart.

"Paletas bring back fond memories of my childhood," says Fernandez, who will be traveling the state this summer for TOMA LECHE to remind Latinos about the joy of eating paletas. "I still recall sitting on the front porch with my siblings and the rest of my family eating my grandmother's homemade paletas.  My favorite are the ones made with milk because they're creamier and oh so delicious."  

As TOMA LECHE's spokesperson, Fernandez will serenade audiences while playing the role of "paletero (ice cream man) for the day" in cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Francisco and Sacramento.

In preparation for Fernandez' 'paletero' tour,  TOMA LECHE has scoured California looking for the best "paleterias" (ice cream shops) from all over the Golden State and collected some of their signature paleta recipes so that Latinos can replicate them at home using just a few key ingredients like milk.  The recipes to the following paletas and more are available exclusively on www.tomaleche.com:

Paleta de Platano con Coco y Choco – A delight for lovers of chocolate covered bananas but with just the right hint of coconut

Cookies & Cream – The perfect marriage of milk and cookies accented with a dash of vanilla, resulting in a decadent treat for the entire family

Paleta de Pina Colada – For a sweet and refreshing treat this summer, this paleta contains tropical fruit favorites like pineapple and coconut  

"Milk is not only a drink of choice for many Latinos, it is also enjoyed as the main ingredient in treats like paletas," says Steve James, executive director of the CMPB.  "We hope Latinos will enjoy making the paletas at home with their kids and grandkids and even pass on the art of paleta making for many generations to come."  

Along with the recipes on www.tomaleche.com, TOMA LECHE has created a guide to popular paleterias all over the Golden State so that consumers can visit the closest ones in their area.  

About the Artist

Born and raised in a musical family, Gerardo Fernandez, who is also the brother of Latin pop singer and telenovela star Pedro Fernandez, was singing before he could talk.  Gerardo decided at the very tender age of four that he wanted to be a singer and follow in his family's footsteps.  Supportive of his passion for music and singing, his family also made it clear to him that getting a good education was his most important priority.  It wasn't until 1994 that Gerardo's singing career took off when he won a singing contest called "mini-estrellas" on the popular Univision TV program Sabado Gigante.  This year, Gerardo has been busy, preparing to debut his new CD.  He is also showing off his musical talent on Estrella TV where he performs different types of music genres for the program "Duetos."

About the CMPB

The California Milk Processor Board was established in 1993 to make milk more competitive and increase milk consumption in California.  Awareness of GOT MILK? is over 90% nationally and it is considered one of the most important and successful campaigns in history.  GOT MILK? is a federally registered trademark that has been licensed by the national dairy boards since 1995.  The CMPB's Spanish-language campaign began in 1994 using the tagline "Familia, Amor y Leche" (Family, Love and Milk).  The TOMA LECHE (Drink Milk) campaign replaced it in 2006, following a growing trend in Hispanic food advertising that uses wit and humor to reach audiences.  GOT MILK? gifts and recipes can be viewed at www.gotmilk.com and www.tomaleche.com.  The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

SOURCE California Milk Processor Board