15 Recipes For People Who Really, Really Love Raisins
Love 'em or hate 'em, raisins are undoubtedly versatile in the kitchen. Whether your enjoying them for dinner (we love these beautiful Sliced Pork Chops with Brown Butter-Golden Raisin Relish and this Seared Radicchio and Red Cabbage Pasta with Pickled Raisins) or dessert (anyone up for boozy New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce?), our best raisin recipes will please everyone at your table.
Sliced Pork Chops with Brown Butter-Golden Raisin Relish
Sliced Pork Chops with Brown Butter-Golden Raisin Relish Recipe
This savory meal starts in the slow cooker. Prepare the pork chops in the slow cooker and then finish them in the skillet. Served with a side of sweet potatoes and a raisin-olive relish, this dish is filled with rich flavors. We also paired the pork chops with a side of couscous but you could swap it out for your favorite grain.
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Pancetta, Kale, and Raisin Stuffing
Pancetta, Kale, and Raisin Stuffing Recipe
Torn bread gives this stuffing a lovely rustic appearance, but you can cube it if you’d rather. Kale, pancetta, and raisins all provide a flavor update, and there’s just enough red pepper to give a hint of heat. You can ask for a chunk of pancetta at the deli counter, or look for a package of prechopped pancetta near the salami and cured meats. You could also substitute bacon, which will add a smoky flavor.
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Glazed Golden Raisin Cinnamon Rolls
Glazed Golden Raisin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
A family-friendly breakfast favorite, cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed with a tall glass of milk or freshly brewed coffee. These sweet yeast rolls only rise once since there is no need for gluten development.
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Celery-and-Parsley Salad with Wine-Soaked Raisins
Celery-and-Parsley Salad with Wine-Soaked Raisins Recipe
This easy salad is zippy, crunchy, light, and fresh—an antidote to an overindulgent Thanksgiving. And it happens to pair especially well with a leftover turkey-and- cranberry-sauce sandwich. We love the depth that the wine-soaked raisins add, but you could also omit the wine and instead use raisins straight out of the box.
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Pistachio-Raisin Bars
Why buy store-bought granola bars when it's so easy—and so much healthier—to make them at home? Switch them up with any dried fruit, nuts, or grains you like.
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Oatmeal-Raisin Skillet Cookie with Miso-Caramel Sauce
Oatmeal-Raisin Skillet Cookie with Miso-Caramel Sauce Recipe
This sweet-meets-salty oatmeal cookie is chewy in the middle with a crispy bottom and edges. In other words, it’s irresistible. The browned butter adds depth, and the salted caramel sauce has a little bit of tang thanks to the fermented miso. Substitute any dried fruit for the raisins, and serve with frozen yogurt, ice cream, or whipped cream. Keep any leftovers in the skillet and simply cover it.
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Seared Radicchio and Red Cabbage Pasta with Pickled Raisins
Seared Radicchio and Red Cabbage Pasta with Pickled Raisins Recipe
Gorgeous magenta hues make this dish a beauty—as does the flavor, a sophisticated blend of slightly bitter notes from radicchio, tart-sweet flavor from pickled raisins, and nuttiness from cheese and walnuts. We call for chickpea-based pasta, which we love for its mild flavor; you can use another legume-based pasta or whole-grain noodles if you prefer.
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Pear, Sage, and Golden Raisin Stuffing
Pear, Sage, and Golden Raisin Stuffing Recipe
Peak-season pears are ideal in this savory stuffing--a fragrant, juicy foil for the salty bacon and woodsy sage.
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Boozy Bourbon-Soaked Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast
Boozy Bourbon-Soaked Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast Recipe
On lazy Sundays, treat yourself and bae to this bourbon cinnamon-raisin French toast, the ultimate booze-laden breakfast. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, this divine dish gets a double hit of whiskey, first in the dip and then in the maple whipped-cream topping.
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Golden Raisin-Charred Radicchio Couscous
Golden Raisin-Charred Radicchio Couscous Recipe
Searing the radicchio until lightly charred helps to mellow its bitter edge and adds an entirely new dimension of flavor to the couscous mixture. We love the look and sweetness of golden raisins; you can also use regular raisins or dried cherries.
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Pecan-and-Raisin Parsnips
Pecan-and-Raisin Parsnips Recipe
Parsnips pair beautifully with piney rosemary and toasted pecans for a taste of early fall. A splash of red wine vinegar lifts the dish.
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Golden Raisin and Honey Challah
Golden Raisin and Honey Challah Recipe
This traditionally Jewish bread requires 2 rising times, but the rich anf fluffy result is definitely worth it. Toast it, top it with jam, or use leftovers in French toast. You can also use dark raisins, dried cranberries, or omit the raisins completely, if desired. Divide the dough into 3 pieces for easier braiding.
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Oatmeal Trail Mix Cookies
Oatmeal Trail Mix Cookies Recipe
Stop everything you’re doing, because our favorite road trip snack is about to change your life in a very big way. Oatmeal Trail Mix Cookies combine salty sweetness with a satisfying chewy crunch. They curb our hanger post-lunch at the office, and they’re a healthier indulgence after a run or workout compared to other sweets.
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New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Recipe
Enjoy the best of the Big Easy with this traditional New Orleans-style bread pudding. It tastes so decadent, no one will believe it's been lightened! See our full collection of Cajun and Creole recipes for more ideas.
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Creamy Classic Rice Pudding
Creamy Classic Rice Pudding Recipe
If you’ve never tried rice pudding, the concept may seem a little strange, but trust us—this toasty, creamy, carb-based custard is just about the most comforting dessert you’ll ever encounter. Give this easy to follow recipe for classic rice pudding a try and taste for yourself.