Complicated Tasks

It was over 100 degrees in DC this weekend, so I was obviously delirious when I decided to make Michoacan-style Paletas. My kitchen is pristine and unused, like an IKEA showroom, and I like it that way. But English Mum practically goaded me into this. She makes complicated tasks like raising chickens and boys look easy and fun. In hindsight, I should have known better. You should never make something yourself that you can just pay someone else for. If you happen to not live near a Paleteria, though, here are some basic instructions.


First, just because your new cute popsicle molds say dishwasher safe on the package does not mean they really are. They could disintegrate. Hypothetically.




Once you're done exposing yourself to poisonous melted-plastic gases, cut up some fresh fruit. Or, since you've been through enough already, do what I did and use pre-sliced fruit from Whole Foods.










Next, put the fruit in a blender with whatever juice you like. For paletas de leche, add sweetened condensed milk or cream. I made two kinds: mango with chile and strawberry cream with pink peppercorns.

Don't use this many peppercorns. There was an unfortunate pink peppercorn avalanche when I didn't check to see if the grinder cap was on tight, which I'll also blame on the poisonous plastic gases circulating throughout the house.


Now, fill whatever molds you didn't already melt and wait about 4 hours. Que rico. And Dios Mio.