What’s your favorite dried fruit? While dried grapes, better known as raisins, are the most popular dried fruit, dates and dried plums or prunes are also at the top the list. But the choices don’t end there. Dried fruits are the preserved gems of baking.
Nutrition
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Dried fruit is highly nutritious.One piece of dried fruit contains about the same amount of nutrients as the fresh fruit, but condensed in a much smaller package. By weight, dried fruit contains up to 3.5 times the fiber, vitamins and minerals of fresh fruit. Therefore, one serving can provide a large percentage of the daily recommended intake of many vitamins and minerals, such as folate.Dried fruit generally contains a lot of fiber and is a great source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols.
Polyphenol antioxidants are associated with health benefits such as improved blood flow, better digestive health, decreased oxidative damage and reduced risk of many diseases
If you want to make your food preparation a little more nutritious, try adding dried fruit into your recipes. Not only are they good for your body but they also can boost the texture and moisture levels of breads and other baked goods. The flavors of these ingredients can really give recipes an added punch. Here are some great tasting fruit varieties to add to your pantry.
Raisins
raisins are a simple and healthy addition that most everyone loves- google image
Great in breads, cakes, cinnamon rolls, and muffins; raisins are a simple and healthy addition that most everyone loves. Before adding to a recipe, plump them by microwaving them in some water or other liquid for a minute or two. I like to plump them then a little orange juice before adding them to baked goods, for a little extra flavor.
Dried apricots
Minced, these are wonderful in quick breads and oatmeal cookies. If the dried apricots are a little on the hard side, warm them in a little water or other liquid to soften before chopping. There are many varieties of dried apricots available, so look for those that are soft and fresh. Apricots are heavenly when dipped in white, milk, or dark chocolate!
Dried strawberries
When fresh strawberries aren’t in season, use dried ones in your recipes, instead. They are wonderfully minced and put into cookies, scones, muffins, and quick or yeast breads.
Dried cranberries
Add dried cranberries to homemade cake – google image
Dried cranberries are made from real cranberries – a fruit known for its tangy taste and potential health benefits. The amount of sugar in dried cranberries is similar to that of other dried fruits, like raisins. Dried cranberries are sweetened because, unlike other berries, cranberries are low in sugar and high in acidity so they require sweetening to be palatable.
Add dried cranberries to homemade cookies, muffins, quick breads, or cakes before baking.
Dried plums or prunes
Packed with fiber, dried plums are very healthful. Try them in bread pudding, coffee cake, cookies, scones, or strudel.
Dried fruit will last a long time but like most foods, it will deteriorate in both nutrition and palatability over time. To enjoy dried fruit at its best:
- Store the fruit in a cool, dark, dry place.
- For the very best fruit, use it within six months. (Most processors recommend one year.)
- Once opened, carefully close the bag and store the fruit in the refrigerator. Refrigeration will retard oxidation and keep your fruit from drying out.
Tips
When chopping is necessary for a recipe, the fruit will be easier to handle if it has been in the freezer for an hour or so. Snipping with kitchen shears is a great way to quickly chop dried fruit. Dip the shears in hot water every so often to keep the fruit from sticking to the shears. Before adding chopped dried fruit to a cake or bread batter, toss it with some of the flour called for in the recipe. This will keep it from sticking together and sinking to the bottom of the batter. There are other types of dried fruit available. Try some today, and throw in some nuts too, for a little extra texture. The addition of healthful and flavorful fruit eliminates the need for over-sugaring recipes.
Source: Healthline, uwyoextension, bakefromscratch
READ MORE
- HERE’S HOW RYE BREAD CAN SUPERCHARGE YOUR DIET
- VARIOUS INGREDIENTS THAT CAN BE USED AS EGG ALTERNATIVES IN BAKING
- SOME SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR THAT MAY SIGNAL YOU NEED MORE FIBER IN YOUR DIET
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BLOOMING PUERH TEAVND165,000 – VND300,000 -
SUGAR FREE SOFT DRIED FIVE COLOR GRAPEVND95,000 – VND300,000
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SUGAR FREE SOFT DRIED CRANBERRYVND115,000 – VND395,000
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SUGAR FREE SOFT DRIED APRICOTVND125,000 – VND425,000
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SOFT DRIED SON LA’S PLUM WITH HONEYVND95,000 – VND315,000
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SOFT DRIED SON LA’S PLUMVND85,000 – VND265,000
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SUGAR FREE SOFT DRIED FIGVND140,000 – VND545,000
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SUGAR FREE SOFT-DRIED CANTALOUPEVND160,000 – VND585,000
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FREEZE DRIED STRAWBERRYVND80,000 – VND300,000
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SOFT DRIED STRAWBERRY WITH LOW TEMPERATUREVND140,000 – VND545,000
