While many Filipino parents recognize the need to prepare healthier dishes for their children, today’s hectic and demanding world challenges their ability to do so.
In response to this, California Raisins held a media briefing to share how it can help parents and guardians prepare delicious and healthy dishes for their children in time for the start of the coming school year.
“California Raisins are fat and cholesterol free, low in sodium, and naturally sweet with no added sugar,” said Richard Lieu, Trade Promotions Director (Southeast Asia) of the Raisin Administrative Committee.
“California Raisins are versatile enough to be added as natural sweeteners to various recipes that children can take as baons for school. “
Aside from providing wonderful health benefits, California Raisins can also make school meals and snacks more delicious. “Parents can combine raisins with fruits, nuts, and cereals to make quick trail mixes or energy bars, mix them with chopped chicken, ham, or tuna for sandwich spreads they can enjoy with wheat bread, bagels, or pita, or toss them with vegetable or fruit salads, beef stews, menudo, meatloaves, tacos or burritos,” Lieu added. “They can also be served on their own as snacks, instead of other unhealthy treats with lots of processed sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.”
To demonstrate a recipe that parents can prepare to make their children’s first day of school special, California Raisins tapped Chef Jackie Ang Po of Fleur de Lys Patisserie.
California Raisins Light Cheesecake Almond Tart
Crust
110g butter
60g powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
170g all purpose flour
- Cream butter and sugar until light.
- Add egg yolk and flour. Divide into 9.
- Shape into rings.
- Bake at 180c (25 minutes)
Cheesecake Layer
135g California Raisins (soak in hot water for 10 minutes and drain)
2pcs egg yolk
35g sugar
60ml heavy cream
30ml milk
1tsp vanilla
30g cream cheese
- Make a crème anglaise.
- Pour over cream cheese and blend.
- Pour into crust with raisins (2 tbsp per tart).
- Bake until set at 180 C. (10 minutes).
- Enjoy this dessert warm or cold.
30g sugar
- Sprinkle a very small amount of sugar and place inside the oven toaster with top heat open for brulee effect (or use a torch if available).
Serving: 9 pieces, 40 grams each
California Raisins are available in leading supermarkets nationwide. To know more about California Raisins, visit http://calraisins.org/ and www.caraisins.com or like them at Facebook at www.facebook.com/RACASEAN/.