Missed the Segment? Check it out HERE: HAPPY National Raisin Day

Raisins are great for snacking – but they are so much more. Today on Atlanta & CO Christine and I will whip up 3 innovative ways to use raisins.

FIVE Really Fun facts about RAISINS

1. It takes 4 TONS of grapes to make 1 TON of raisins
2. Selma California is the self-proclaimed “Raisin Capital’ of the world – fields around Selma produce 85% of California’s raisins, that means 90% of the world’s supply!
3. When you see the word “Agrodolce” on a menu, it means sweet and sour and raisins are often used for the “sweet” part of the recipe.
4. Almost all raisins are made from one variety of grape – the Thompson Seedless.
5. Regular brown raisins and golden raisins are the same – brown raisins are just dried to bake in the sun. Golden raisins are dunked in hot water and dried in a special oven.

Goat Cheese, Orange and Raisin Coleslaw

• 1 PKG Cole Slaw Mix
  2 – 4 OZ Crumbled Goat Cheese
  ⅓ Cup Chopped Toasted Walnut Pieces
  ⅓ Cup Golden Raisins
• 1 Orange in 8 to 12 Pieces
• Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 3 TB Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  2 TB White Balsamic Vinegar
  Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Toss the cabbage, cheese, walnuts, raisins and orange segments together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle on the oil and vinegar. Toss afain, taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve.

Smoky Sweet Pineapple and Raisin Salsa

• ½ Cup Raisins
• ½ Cup Dark Rum
• 1 Cored Pineapple, chunked in ½” pieces
• 2 Chipotle Peppers in Adobe, chopped
• 1 TB Lime Juice
• 1 TB Orange Zest
• 3 TB Orange Juice
• ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ½ Cup Chopped Roasted Red Pepper
• ½ Cup Chopped Cilantro
• Sea Salt to Taste

Soak the raisins in the rum for an hour, drain and reserve the rum. Combine the rest of the ingredients together in a bowl, serve with chips or as a topping for grilled pork, chicken or fish.

AND a Facebook LIVE for the Spritzer directions HERE

Raisin Rum Citrus Sparkling Spritzer

• 1 Cup Orange Juice
• 2 – 4 TB Lime Juice
• 1/3 Cup Coconut Sugar
• ½ Cup Reserved Raisin Rum, divided
• Sparkling Wine
• Oranges and Limes for Garnish

Add the juices and the coconut sugar to a pitcher, stir and mash with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the rum. Pour into 6 glasses and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with fruit.