Healthy Recipes for “Raisin” Kids
APPLE LADYBUGS
(Serves 4)INGREDIENTS:
2 small Red Delicious apples
½ cup Sun-Maid Raisins (approx.)
1-2 Tablespoons peanut butter or hazelnut spread
4 whole strawberries
4 toothpicks
LET'S GET COOKING!
1. Remove stems and slice apples in half lengthwise. Use a melon-baller or small spoon to remove the apple core. Each apple half is the "ladybug's" body.
2. Insert 1 toothpick into each strawberry then insert strawberry into core-end of apple. This makes the "ladybug's" head.Don't forget to remove the toothpick before eating!
3. Dip one side of each raisin in the peanut butter or hazelnut spread and put the raisins all over the uncut side of each apple half. The raisins create the "ladybug's" spots.
A delicious ladybug almost too cute to eat!
TUTTI FRUTTI POPCORN BALL CONES
(Makes 10 to 12 popcorn cones)INGREDIENTS:
½ cup honey
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 cups fresh popped popcorn
½ cup chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts, or peanuts)
1 cup Sun-Maid dried fruits (any combination of Sun-Maid Raisins, Fruit Bits or Goldens and Cherries)
10 to 12 ice cream cones
LET'S GET COOKING!
1. Combine honey, brown sugar, and butter in microwave-safe container. Cover with plastic wrap and heat in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture is bubbling and steaming hot. Carefully remove honey syrup dish from microwave with the help of your adult chef assistant. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla. Set aside.
2. Put popcorn, nuts, and dried fruit in a large mixing bowl. Pour cooked honey syrup over popcorn and toss with a wooden spoon until you have coated all the pieces of popcorn with honey syrup. Let mixture cool 10 minutes before forming into balls.
3. Now dampen your hands with a splash of water. With your hands, take a scoop of popcorn mixture and form a 2 to 3-inch sized popcorn ball. Repeat until you have made all the mixture into popcorn balls. Top each ice cream cone with a popcorn ball.
Serving Suggestions
To add holiday flare to this tasty treat, incorporate your favorite holiday colored jimmies or sprinkles to the final product.Try orange and black jimmies or sprinkles to create a spooky Halloween treat, pastels for a delightful Easter look, or red and green for a Christmas theme.To create these great holiday themed treats use ¼ to ½ teaspoon colored jimmies or sprinkles and add each popcorn ball just after it has been formed.Sprinkle the jimmies or sprinkles over the top and on the sides of the popcorn ball.
For more information on Sun-Maid's nutritious and delicious raisins and dried-fruit products please visit www.sunmaid.com.
VERY MERRY FRUIT SALAD
(Serves 8-10)This very merry salad is a healthy and colorful way to brighten up any holiday table!
INGREDIENTS
Salad:
1 cup Sun-Maid Mixed Jumbo Raisins
1 cup Sun-Maid Cape Cod Cranberries
1 unpeeled red apple, sliced
1 unpeeled green apple, sliced
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons orange juice (fresh squeezed or purchased)
Dressing:
4 ounces low fat vanilla yogurt
½ pint strawberries, stems removed, sliced in half
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoons honey
LET'S START SALAD MAKING!
1. Combine all salad ingredients in a large salad bowl and toss lightly to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator.
2. For dressing, place vanilla yogurt, strawberries, and vanilla extract in a blender and puree. Taste and stir in honey for desired sweetness.
3. Add dressing to salad and toss.
4. Refrigerate covered 1-2 hours before serving.
APPLE RAISIN NOODLE PUDDING
(Serves 8-10)This family favorite is a unique pudding for the whole family to enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
12 ounce package medium egg noodles, cooked and
drained
3 eggs, beaten
¾ cup sugar
1 cup Sun-Maid Golden Raisins or Natural Raisins
1- 5 ounce package Sun-Maid Washington Apples
1 cup applesauce
1 /4 cup butter, melted (not margarine)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon cinnamon mixed with ¼ cup honey
LET'S GET COOKING!
Preheat oven to 375F
1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine eggs, sugar, Sun-Maid Golden or Natural Raisins, Sun-Maid Dried Apples, applesauce, melted butter, and cinnamon. Add noodles and toss to blend ingredients.
3. Pour noodle mixture into a casserole dish which has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Drizzle cinnamon/honey mixture on top of noodles.
4. Place casserole in oven and bake 40 minutes or until golden brown.
May be served warm or at room temperature.
Option: Place noodle mixture into individual custard cups or ramekins and drizzle with cinnamon/honey mixture. Bake at 375F for approximately 20 -25 minutes.
CRISPY SWEET SNOWBALL TREATS
(Makes 24- 2 inch balls)A crispy yet sweet holiday treat that will make your family feel like they are having a white Christmas!
INGREDIENTS
3 Tablespoons butter
5 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup Sun-Maid Golden Raisins
1 cup white chocolate chips
LET'S GET COOKING
1. Melt butter in a very large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted and "gooey". Remove from heat.
2. Stir in cereal, Sun-Maid Golden Raisins, and white chocolate chips.
3. Scoop- out mixture onto a large piece of waxed paper or parchment paper which has been sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray and let cool for 10 minutes.
4. Dampen hands with a splash of water then lightly spray hands with non-stick spray. Form 2-3 inch "snowballs" out of cereal mixture and set aside.
5. Wrap each snowball in cellophane or plastic wrap and tie with a colorful ribbon.
POCHAHONTOS PUMPKIN MUFFINS
(Makes 24 muffins)
These muffins chock-full of holiday spices and flavors provide a unique way to bring the family around the table for Thanksgiving.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups (1 6 ounce package) Sun-Maid
California Apricots, chopped
1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
1/2 cup apple juice
3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cloves
4 eggs
1- 15 ounce canned solid pack pumpkin
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cooking oil
LET'S GET COOKING!
Preheat oven to 400°F.
1. Combine chopped Sun-Maid California Apricots and nuts in a medium bowl and pour in apple juice. Set aside
2. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg allspice, and cloves in a large bowl and whisk to combine dry ingredients. Add eggs, canned pumpkin, sugars and oil. Stir in Sun-Maid Apricots, nuts and apple juice.
3. Line muffin tins with paper liners and divide the batter evenly between 24 muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestion: These muffins freeze beautifully and thaw quickly. Add a frozen muffin to a school lunch and your child may enjoy a fresh homemade treat later in the day.
SUGARPLUM PRETZEL WANDS
(Makes 12)Although these wands are fit for any sugarplum fairy, they are also a versatile treat for any holiday. Try red, white and blue colored frosting for 4th of July or green and pink for Easter!
INGREDIENTS
12 large pretzel rods, ½ inch thick by 8 inches long
1- 7 ounce bag Sun-Maid Fruit Bits
1 – 16 ounce can vanilla frosting
Red and green liquid food dye
Assorted holiday sprinkles and candy decorations
LET'S GET ROLLING!
1. Divide frosting in half and place in 2 small bowls. Put several drops of red food dye in one bowl and several drops of green food dye in the other bowl. Stir to blend each color.
2. Combine Sun-Maid Fruit Bits and assorted holiday candy decorations and pour onto a small sheet pan.
3. Coat 1/2 of each pretzel rod with colored frosting and roll coated end into Sun-Maid fruit bits and holiday candy mixture.
4. Place on foil or waxed paper- lined sheet pan and refrigerate for 10 minutes to harden frosting or cover and chill until ready to serve.
Fun gift idea: Tie with a colorful ribbon for a sweet homemade treat!
PRANCER'S PARTY MIX
(Makes 10- ½ cup servings)A treat that's sure to please gals and guys of any age! Serve in a festive holiday themed bowl or divide into individual bags and give as favors to your little Nutcrackers and Sugarplum Fairies!
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Sun-Maid Chocolate or Vanilla Yogurt Raisins
1 cup Sun-Maid Goldens and Cherries
1 cup pumpkin seeds or peanuts
1 cup mini pretzels
1 cup red and green jelly beans
LET'S GET MIXING!
1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Toss to blend.