A NATURAL sun-dried fruit is sweet with no added sugar, offering natural sweetness to create an array of flavourful and healthy dishes including appetisers, sauces, soups, main dishes and desserts.
The raisin is one such fruit and it's packed with health attributes such as zero fat or cholesterol, low in sodium and full of concentrated nutrients.
California Raisins rolled out its "Sweet Naturally" campaign late last year with the aim of bringing people together for sweet and happy moments.
As Malaysians need comfort and joy more than ever during these challenging times, the campaign did exactly that - presenting an array of comfort dishes made with nutritious raisins.
Being a highly versatile ingredient in the kitchen which can be used in cooked food, baked products and beverages, this naturally sweet, dried fruit lends flexibility to busy homemakers and working mums who want fast and easy ways to create delicious meals.
As part of its campaign California Raisins also invited 11 key Malaysian lifestyle and food content creators to create their desired festive year-end recipes using raisins. Here are three of the recipes.
Chicken Pocket with California Raisin Marinade by Kifli Mally
INGREDIENTS
200 grams chicken breast
For marinade: (finely ground)
75 grams California Raisins
10 cherry tomatoes
3 bird's eye chilies
5 garlic cloves
1 spoon olive oil
Rosemary leaves
Basil leaves
Salt and sugar
For fresh salad and salad dressing
California Raisins
Salad leaves
1 capsicum – (red/yellow)
1 Japanese cucumber
1 teaspoon white sesame
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 lime (juice)
Olive oil
1 teaspoon black pepper
Salt
METHOD
For chicken
Marinate the chicken with the finely ground ingredients for 30-60 minutes.
Grill the chicken using an airfryer at 180° celcius for 20 minutes.
For salad
Cut cucumber, cherry tomatoes and capsicum.
Place them in a bowl, together with the California Raisins.
Add white sesame, mustard seed, fruit vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, black pepper and salt. Mix well.
Naan bread preparation
Heat naan over medium heat.
Add chicken slices, fresh salad and salad dressing into the naan bread pocket and it's ready to serve.
Apple California Raisin Coleslaw by Siti Aminah Idrus
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup California Raisins
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 head savoy cabbage, shredded or sliced thin
1 cup carrot shredded (about 4 small or 2 medium carrots)
2 Granny Smith apples, cored and shredded
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
METHOD
In a large bowl, stir in California Raisins, mayonnaise, sour cream and apple cider vinegar. Add cabbage, carrot, and apples, then toss to combine. Add in a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
California Raisin Marble Cake By Rafzan Tomomi
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup California Raisins
1 butter (250g)
1 cup castor sugar
5 eggs
Food colouring (green, red and yellow)
2 cups self-raising flour
METHOD
Mix castor sugar and butter, beat until fluffy. Then, add eggs one by one and beat until fluffy. Add self-raising flour and whisk until smooth. Add quarter cup California Raisins and whisk.
Divide the mixture into three. Add colouring (green, red and yellow) to each portion. Layer the coloured mixture one by one into the baking tin. Bake for 45 minutes, at 180 degree celsius.