TOMA LECHE Refreshes Your Summer With Sabor!

USA - English

• Latin America - español

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With its steamy tropical climates, Latin America has been the crib of thirst-quenching treats for centuries.  From coconut water to raspados and aguas frescas, Latinos have 101 delicious ways to beat the heat almost all year around.  And it is from this refreshing tradition that TOMA LECHE draws its inspiration for summer treats that are sure to cool off the hottest Californian!  This year, the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), creators of GOT MILK? and TOMA LECHE, has teamed up with culinary artist Bricia Lopez to create a series of chilled, easy-to-make milk-based treats that capture iconic Latin American flavors and aromas.  In one of four distinctive forms: aguas frescas (sweetened waters), licuados (smoothies), paletas esquimales (dipped popsicles) and raspados (snow cones), these creations are guaranteed to refresh, delight your palate and maybe even transport you down memory lane.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130701/LA41166)

 "I had a blast making these!," says Bricia Lopez, co-owner of La Guelaguetza in Los Angeles.  "As I blended cantaloupes, berries, spices and other fruits with the cool milk and ice, I reminisced about my favorite childhood summer treats in Oaxaca [Mexico]."  She adds, "I gave these to my sisters to try first and they all shrieked with happiness 'this is just like what we had back in the mercados in Oaxaca!'  I really hope Californians enjoy them too!"

Lopez' palate pleasing recipe flavors range from the kid-approved - juicy ripe cantaloupe, fresh berries and sweet coconut - to the nostalgic (Glorias raspados anyone?) and the intrepid - lemon custard dipped in Maria cookies or even Mexican cafe de olla with chocolate. Available exclusively on www.tomaleche.com, Lopez's favorite summer recipes include:

• Aguas frescas -  Nothing quenches thirst better than these delicious iced beverages. The touch of milk added to these fruity aguas frescas keeps the drink light but also gives it a silky smooth consistency. Recipes include sweet cantaloupe with mint, pineapple with pecans and horchata with strawberry.
• Licuados – These Latin-style smoothies are the perfect blend of creamy milk and garden fresh fruits, –perfect for a quick start breakfast during the hot summer months. For refreshing twists, try a vibrant melon with raspberry licuado or the vitamin packed avocado-banana recipe.
• Paletas Esquimales (dipped popsicles) - How can you kick-up a good old-fashioned paleta? Making it a hand-dipped esquimal, of course! Reminisce your favorite flavors with Lopez's cafe de olla con leche (Mexican-style coffee) popsicle, dipped in chocolate. Or pucker up with the lemon pie paleta sprinkled with crushed Maria cookies or the creamy coconut-pineapple popsicle with extra coconut.
• Raspados (shaved ice/ snow cones) - Shaved ice topped with real fruit and milk make these snow cones quite the favorite among the kids and kids at heart. Try a traditional nuez con coco (walnut with coconut) raspado or a Glorias – sliced bananas topped with shaved ice, vanilla flavored milk, fresh strawberries and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

"These treats are innovative and show many refreshing ways to use milk," says Steve James, Executive Director of the CMPB.  "Bricia's recipes seamlessly blend traditional Hispanic flavors into frozen treats that the entire family can enjoy all summer long."

To view the full menu of Bricia's summer treats, visit www.tomaleche.com  

About Bricia Lopez
Bricia Lopez is a highly successful restaurateur with over 10 years of culinary experience creating authentic Latino recipes and drinks for her family-owned restaurant, La Guelaguetza, a Los Angeles bastion on Oaxacan cuisine. As an integral figure in the gastronomic culture of Los Angeles, Lopez serves as one of the founding members of The Taste of Mexico Association, an organization whose sole purpose is to promote the best in Mexican gastronomy.   Bricia and the Lopez's family story have as been prominently featured in a number of national and international multi-media outlets including The New Yorker, The Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Magazine, to name a few.

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 The California Milk Processor Board