Seasonal Showcase for Winter 2008
Celebrating the Holidays and New Year's, too
All of the year-end holidays bring family and friends closer and build a spirit of togetherness that endures for a lifetime. What or where you eat isn't as important as the fact that you are setting aside time to get together. Meals aren't just about food; they are a way for families to thrive. This year that includes, not just the tradition of sharing with friends and family, but amazing indigenous and local ingredients, and an abundance of recipes to make the holidays all the more enjoyable while eating better with California Raisins.
Abundant Recipes
  Munch away on California Raisins Squared or Crunchy Vegetable Pakoras with Raisin-Tamarind Chutney while dinner is cooking. Then, start the meal with California Raisin Rice 'n Broccoli Salad, Sweet and Sour Coleslaw, or Spinach Salad with Pears and Raisins.
Follow with these healthy vegetable preparations — Raisin-Apple Stuffed Squash or Vegetables and Apples with Raisin Sauce and choose Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Raisins or Sweet Potatoes with Raisins and Poblano Chile Rajas for more nutrition and lose the gravy.
  Add California Raisin Couscous with Vegetables or Toasted Couscous with Almonds and Raisins to the menu for healthy fillers. California Raisin Wheaten Walnut Bread and Cinnamon Raisin Rolls bring whole-grain goodness to the table, too.
Harvest Butternut Squash Soup with California Golden Raisin Crostini is a great way to warm up the party on a chilly day and spicy Harvest Salsa's peppery heat compliments the entrée.
  Throw caution to the wind and serve Raisin Cranberry Cheesecake or All American Raisin Pie for dessert. Upside Down Raisin Apple Tart is another quickie to satisfy that compulsion for pie.
 Or offer California Raisin, Cranberry and Apple Compote, Dried Fruit Compote, or Fruit Flambé with Ice Cream as healthier alternatives.
Here's the Turkey
The whole gang is coming to your house and the turkey is on your to-do list. California Raisins to the rescue! Baste and glaze that bird with sweet and savory Raisin Maple Glaze or fill it to bursting with the tangy fruits in the Dried Fruit and Sausage Stuffing. Raisin and Bulgur Wheat Stuffing adds whole grains to the menu while Chef Canteenwalla's Savory Stuffing is way too good to resist.
If a whole bird is out of the question and breast of turkey is your choice, Chef Gerald Hirigoyen's Breast of Turkey Stuffed with Chestnuts, Pistachios and California Raisins is a fruit and nut filled treasure, or a bit of an ethnic flavor with California Raisin, Sweet Plantain and Walnut-stuffed Turkey Breast with Bok Choy Vegetables in Guava Sauce is fusion food at it's best.
  Finally, tantalize everybody with Raisin Apricot Chutney — the perfect accompaniment to a perfectly roasted turkey.
Above all, plan for leftovers so that your family can enjoy some of these possibilities. Late afternoon sandwiches become a tradition when you serve Turkey Cutlet on Ciabatta with California Raisin and Red Onion Marmalade or Smoked Turkey Waldorf Melts. Just substitute thinly sliced pieces of cooked turkey meat into the recipe for results every bit as tasty as if you started from scratch.
 Combine French-toasted California raisin bread with turkey, ham and cheese to serve California Cristo hot for breakfast, lunch or dinner and get the day after going right.
Asian Turkey Salad, Bombay Salad or Turkey and Spinach Salad with Raisins are quick-to-fix lunch dishes while Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Raisin Sauce can be prepared with shredded cooked turkey for a hot and hearty entrée.
Pumpkin Every Which Way
It is only natural that we turn to a seasonal squash for the most traditional of desserts — pumpkin pie. California Raisins has a couple of variations on that theme, too. See Pumpkin Pie Surprise for a way to break away from plain old pumpkin pie.
Surprise the crowd with a Raisin Pumpkin Cake, Raisin-Gingerbread Pudding Cake, or California Autumn Fruitcake. Speaking of fruitcake, make a double batch of California Autumn Fruitcake or Steamed Pumpkin Pudding to serve for one of those year-end holidays or for gifting to friends and neighbors.
 In between meal treats bring pumpkin nutrition to hungry kids and family, too. Try Nut and Raisin Thumbprints or Sunshine Bars for these.
  Not into pumpkin for dessert? Spicy California Raisin-Pumpkin Caponata kicks off the party with a savory and spicy first course. Pumpkin Tamales Filled with Shredded Beef and California Raisins brings a Southwestern flavor to your feast.
  Showcase pumpkin at the start of the day with Pumpkin 'n Raisin Waffles, Pumpkin Spice Muffins, or Raisin Oatmeal Cookie Muffins.
California Raisins are a great way to contribute taste in unexpected ways. From their unique character and ability to balance flavor to their natural sweetness and nutritious attributes, California Raisins are the sun-sweetened ingredient that is always a wise choice. Add excitement to your holidays with these ethnic flavors and California Raisins.
Exotic Asian Flavors
  Combine the aroma of five-spice powder with California Raisins and send this Fragrant Roast Pork with Five Spice Relish to the table to tantalize your guests.
Opt for Embutido (Filipino Meat Loaf) or Vietnamese Stir-fried Chicken with Nuts and California Raisins for something lighter and bring along the Gado Gado with Raisins to accompany either one.
Earthy East Indian Foods
  Entertaining a crowd? Start the party with this easy to fix Apple Raisin Chutney-Filled Brie (Sev Paneer) or some tasty Crunchy Vegetable Pakoras with Raisin-Tamarind Chutney.
  Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops with Potato Pancakes and California Raisin-Lima Beans (Moghalai Gosht) or California Raisin-Almond Chicken Curry (Murghi Kismis Salan) will fill and satisfy the hungriest of guests.
Raisin Saffron Basmati Rice Pilaf (Zaffran Kismis Pullao) adds interest and excitement to almost any holiday meal.
From Around the Mediterranean
  Turn on the heat with this spicy North African Braised Chicken or a mellow Moroccan Bisteeya with California Raisins.
  Choose Chef Wolfgang Puck's Braised Moroccan Lamb or his Moroccan Lamb Tangine if you prefer heartier meat.
Moroccan Vegetable Ragout with California Raisins or Moroccan Salad with California Raisins adds outstanding flavors to any menu.
Adding Latin Flare
  Lots of flare in these Sweet and Savory Argentine Empanadas or Beef Picadillo Empanadas for party starters.
  Go for Latin tradition with California Raisin and Orange Salad Platter (Ensalada de Naranja Pasa) or Ensalada Noche Buena served with Three Kings Bread (Rosca de Reyes).
And the main course just has to be Chef Robert Del Grande's Grilled Lamb Chops, Red Salsa with California Raisins (Salsa de Pasitas Rojas) and Fennel Salad!
  However, Red Snapper Veracruzo, Sweet and Spicy Jerk Chicken, Chicken with California Raisin Mole, or Pork Tenderloin Mole will set the Latin mood, too.
Favorite Flavors
 Turkey time again? Stuff it with our extra good and healthy Raisin and Bulgur Wheat Stuffing and baste with Raisin Maple Glaze or spice it up with Raisin Chipotle Grilling Sauce. Those sauces make great gifts from your kitchen, too!
To put ham at the top of your family's favorites, serve it with Sunshine Raisin Sauce, Raisin Currant Sauce, or California Raisin, Cranberry and Apple Compote.
To round out the meal and get lots of vegetables on the plate, Vegetables and Apples with Raisin Sauce, Lima Beans with California Raisins, Sweet Potatoes with Raisin-Orange Sauce, or Sweet Potatoes with Raisins and Poblano Chile Rajas will soon become a family favorite to be served often.
Special Breakfast Treats
  Christmas morning after the gifts are all opened, New Years Day, or any other time a special breakfast is in order, mix up some No-mess Banana Nut Pancakes with Cinnamon-Raisin Syrup and store them in the refrigerator overnight for a quick fix the next morning.
  Ginger Raisin Biscotti, English Raisin-stuffed Doughnuts, and Maple Raisin Walnut Sticky Buns are sweet treats never to be forgotten.
Consider Rum Raisin Bread Pudding for a very special breakfast. Yes, it's a dessert, but it brings the essence of a whole meal with bread, protein and fruit all in one dish!
These are just a few of the great recipes to be found at LoveYourRaisins.com. Where ever you go, whatever you do, California Raisins add something truly unique and often unexpected to all the holiday fun. From take-along snacks for shopping to elegant desserts for that special holiday meal, they are always the Wise Choice for better eating. |
