National Raisin Day: Interesting facts and 3 easy recipes to try using the dry fruit
Every year, April 30 is celebrated as National Raisin Day. Before we get to that, let's get to know a little history behind this popular dry fruit. Raisins were first discovered by the Egyptians around 2000 BC. They found that when grapes were left to dry after the vines fell off, they became chewy and still tasted sweet. But how do the grapes still remain sweet even after the vines get out of it?
The water in a grape evaporates during drying, but the sugar is retained, increasing the sweetness of the raisin. When compared to a grape, its sugar was less sweet because it was diluted with water. In the Mediterranean regions of Europe, they have used raisins as decorations during the ancient times, These are but some of the most rudimentary facts about raisins. Let's get into the more interesting facts and trivia, along with three easy recipes to try using the well-loved dry fruit.
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5 interesting facts about raisin
1. The word “raisin” derives from the Latin word 'racemus', which refers to a cluster of grapes or berries.
2. In order to produce 1 ton of raisins, you need more than 4 tons of grapes.
3. The finest raisin comes from Malaga in Spain!
4. In 1984, the California raisin industry marketing staff introduced the fictional R&B band 'The California Raisins', which featured singing and dancing raisins made with claymation.
5. You can make golden raisins with the help of a lye solution. This can also be done by exposing the dried grapes to sulfur dioxide.
3 easy recipes to try using the dry fruit
Oatmeal cookies
You can personalize these cookies with your favorite combinations by swapping them with different nuts, chocolate chips, and more!
Ingredients
1. 1 cup butter, softened
2. 1 cup packed brown sugar
3. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
4. 2 large eggs
5. 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
6. 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
7. 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
8. 1 tsp baking powder
9. 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10. 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350º and cover with two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Stir them until it becomes fluffy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix.
4. Add flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and stir until it gets combined.
5. Fold in desired mixing and make tablespoon-sized balls of dough and keep it on baking sheets.
6. Bake for about 12 minutes until golden brown.
Carrot cake
Try out the recipe for carrot cake, and also customize your favorite flavors into it.
Ingredients
1. 2 3/4 cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
2. 2 tsp baking powder
3. 2 tsp ground cinnamon
4. 1 1/2 tsp salt
5. 1 tsp baking soda
6. 2 cups (400 g.) granulated sugar
7. 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
8. 4 large eggs
9. 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
10. 3 1/2 cups (347 g.) shredded peeled carrots
11. 1 cup raisins
12. 1 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped, plus more for serving
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 350°. Grease the bottom of the cake pans with cooking spray. Take a large bowl, add and whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
2. Take another large bowl, and with the help of a handheld mixer at medium speed, beat granulated sugar and oil until it sets.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then add in vanilla.
4. Fold in dry ingredients until it sets, then fold in carrots, raisins, and pecans.
5. Bake them for 30-35 minutes and cool them for 15 minutes before you serve.
Bread pudding
It is a light, yummy breakfast with a subtle hint of sweetness! Have a sweet morning with bread pudding!
Ingredients
1. 1 (1 lb.) loaf of challah bread (about 10 cups cubed)
2. 2/3 cups plus 1 tbsp granulated sugar
3. 2 eggs plus 3 egg yolks
4. 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
5. 1/2 tsp kosher salt
6. 1/4 tsp. nutmeg (optional)
7. 2 cups heavy cream
8. 2 cups whole milk
9. 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
1. This step should be done a day before; take a slice of bread and cut it into cubes, leaving them out for a night to dry.
2. Take a large bowl and add sugar, eggs, egg yolks, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg. Whisk all of them together, while also adding milk and cream. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes to make the bread soak up the custard.
3. Now, it’s time to garnish the top of the bread pudding with sugar and set them to bake for 40-45 minutes. It would be better to cool them for 35 minutes before you serve.
Recipe Courtesy : (Best Raisin Recipe)