RAISIN RECIPE #2: Apple and Quince Crisp with Rum Raisins

Ingredients

Rum Raisins:

1 1/2 cups of either, Neufeld Farms Flame Golden Raisins or Neufeld Farms Regular Sun-Dried Raisins

1 cup dark rum

Crisp Topping:

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:

4 cups water

3 1/2 cups sugar, divided

2 pounds quinces (about 5 medium), peeled, quartered, cored

4 large Gala apples, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

For rum raisins:

Simmer Neufeld Farms Flame Golden Raisins or Neufeld Farms Regular Sun-Dried Raisins and rum in small saucepan 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Ignite with match; let flames burn out, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer 2 tablespoons liquid to small bowl for crisp topping.

For crisp topping:

Melt butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat. Simmer until butter is golden brown, about 6 minutes. Cool.

Mix flour, sugar, nutmeg, and salt in medium bowl. Add browned butter and 2 tablespoons reserved liquid from rum raisins; stir until moist clumps form. DO AHEAD: Raisins and topping can be made 1 day ahead. Cover each; chill.

For filling:

Combine 4 cups water and 3 cups sugar in large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add quinces; simmer until tender, 15 minutes. Remove from syrup; cool. Reserve syrup for another use. Cut quinces into 1-inch cubes. Transfer to large bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Add apples, lemon juice, flour, salt, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and rum raisin mixture to bowl with quinces; toss to blend. Transfer to baking dish. Crumble topping over.

Bake apple and quince crisp until golden and bubbling, about 55 minutes. Cool at least 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with softly whipped cream or ice cream.

Source: Epi Curious

RAISIN RECIPE #1: Sweet Crepes with Apple Raisin Filling

Sweet Crepes with Apple Raisin filling
Active Prep: 20 minutes Inactive Prep: 1 hour Makes: 8 to 10 (9-inch) Crepes and 10 (½- cup) servings apple filling One Serving = 1 crepe and 1/2 cup apple filling
Ingredients:
Crepes

• 1 cup Real Goodness™ Lactose Free 2% milk
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 slice lemon peel

Apple filling

• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into thin half moons
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1.5 ounce box of Neufeld Farms Regular Sun-Dried California Raisins

Directions:
For the crepes

1. In a large bowl, WHISK all ingredients (milk through butter) vigorously until all ingredients are combined and batter appears smooth. Add lemon peel, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
2. Gently STIR the batter and PREHEAT a crepe pan or large skillet over low-medium heat.
3. MELT a small amount of butter (about 1 tsp) in the pan.
4. LIFT the pan off the heat and add 3 tablespoons of batter while tilting and swirling the pan until it is evenly covered with the batter.
5. COOK for 1 minute or until edges are lightly browned and top of crepe appears dry. Gently FLIP the crepe upside down and cook the other side for about 30 seconds more.
6. TRANSFER the cooked crepe to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.
7. TOP each crepe with ½ cup apple and raisin filling and fold over. SERVE warm.

For the apple filling:

1. In a small bowl COMBINE flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg
2. HEAT a large saucepan on medium heat and melt butter.
3. ADD the apples, vanilla, lemon juice and sugar spice mixture.
4. MIX well, STIRRING every few minutes for about 10 minutes.
5. ADD in Neufeld Farms Regular Sun-Dried California Raisins and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. Apples should be soft when pierced with a fork.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

172 Calories; 4g Fat; 2g Saturated Fat; 56mg Cholesterol; 57mg Sodium; 30g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 4g Protein

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Source: Sweeties Swag

California Raisins: Continuous Health Benefits

Raisins have several benefits! Great source of Antioxidants, Fiber, Bone Health, Healthy Teeth, Eyesight and even Energy!

Antioxidants: Raisins are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect our bodies against free radical damage. Normally we don't need to worry about the free radicals, but if our bodies can't find any antioxidants we could start to see the damage (this is called pre-aging). It is important to get antioxidants in to your body through the food you eat. Antioxidants have also been linked to Cancer prevention.

Energy: Many parents give their children raisins before sports games. That is because raisins contain many B vitamins known for boasting energy. I personally eat raisins for this very reason. Raisins are also high in calories, which is important for athletes, and helps them boast their energy naturally before a game.

Fiber: Raisins are a good source of fiber, which is important for your body to stay regular. My family in particular has trouble in the area of constipation, so adding raisins to their diets is important.

Healthy teeth: Don't let the sticky and sweetness of the raisin fool you. Raisins do not cause cavities and gum disease, and rather promote oral health because of the oleanolic acid found within them. This acid is very effective in killing the bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal dental disease.

Eyesight: Raisins are also a preventative measure for Macular Degeneration, which is the health of your eyesight. My Grandmother has this disease so I can attest to the importance of doing everything you can to keep your eyes healthy.

Source: The Health Benefits of Sun-Dried Raisins by AssociatedContent.com