Oh the humble raisin! Raisins are seeing a renaissance lately, with heirloom grapes dried in the sun showing us that the raisin can reach past preschool snack time and into the realm of gourmet foods. Do you like raisins and their winey, sun-dried sweetness? If so, here are a few ways to appreciate them more.
- Just plain, thanks. - Raisins are a quick pick-me-up after strenuous exercise, or on a long trip, where their healthy sweetness is welcome. They are dried, so they last for ages. You don't have to worry about them spoiling, and if they get a little warm, sitting in the car, well they're better like that.
- In oatmeal - Classic! A handful of raisins in a bowl of hot steel-cut oatmeal. That's heaven on a cold morning.
- In cookies, English muffins, and other baked things - We like raisins in almost anything. We love homemade English muffins with raisins, and these sour cream raisin bars sound particularly enticing. And oatmeal raisin is an enduring classic. What's your favorite sweet with raisins?
- In salads - Raisins give sweetness and a little chew to salads. We love pairing a bitter green with savory crunchy nuts and sweet raisins, like in this rainbow chard salad with raisins and walnuts.
- Plumped up in booze - Regardless of how you use raisins in your cooking or baking, don't forget to give them a little boost of extra moisture by plumping them up in booze, juice, or wine.
What's your favorite way to eat raisins? Do you still like those sticky little boxes of raisins, a la preschool?
• In Praise of Raisins
• Recipe Review: Martha Stewart Oatmeal Raisin Squares
• Cinnamon Raisin Bagel Ice Cream
• Copycat Recipe: DIY Nutri-Grain Fruit and Nut Bars
More 5 Ways to Eat Posts:
These posts are all ingredients paired with Social Workout's daily exercise over at their Fall Challenge.
(Images: Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan; Emma Christensen)
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Raisin pie!
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/grandma-friendships-raisin-pie?
I cannot eat raisins or other dried fruit in anything sweet. no bread or cookies or muffins or oatmeal. and never on their own. but i love, love, love them in savory dishes. i often add a handful of plumped raisins to stews, salads or stuffings.
I love, love raisins in savory dishes. Anything from salads to things like this Moroccan Chicken Stew. And, naturally, in cereal and cookies.
Bread Pudding - or if it's Christmas Time, Bread Pudding made from Pannetone!
The best way? Really high quality raisins and good cheese and bread :-)
Fairway markets have "french raisins"... not sure what they are, but they're fat and delicious..... our favorite.
I recently had a pork chop served with a savory, butter sauce including raisins. Yum. A nice addition to an otherwise very traditional dish.
I love substituting "craisins" (dried cranberries) or going half-and-half with raisins in most of the above suggestions.
As a kid in scouts, we ate huge amounts of "GORP" trail mix AKA "good old raisins and peanuts" (usually with cheerios, m & m's, pretzels and such mixed with it).
I was one of those odd kids who never minded the little raisin boxes at Halloween.
To those with dogs-- grapes and raisins are dangerous to dogs, causing acute renal failure.
Bread and Butter Pudding or Fruit cake- plus rum & raisin ice cream!