Dried fruit usually gets eaten straight from the pack, and that’s fine. But a handful of apricots, cherries or raisins can do a lot more in your kitchen. Here are six easy ways to use them.
1. Morning oats or yoghurt
Chop three or four dried apricots and a few tart cherries and stir them into hot oats, or scatter them over yoghurt with some crushed walnuts. Leave the oats to sit for a minute and the fruit softens and sweetens the bowl, so you won’t need sugar.
2. Pulao
Black raisins belong in a good pulao. Fry a small handful in a little ghee until they puff up, then scatter them over the rice with fried onions and slivered almonds just before serving.
3. A winter salad
Slice dried apricots thinly and toss them with greens, sliced onion, toasted walnuts and a squeeze of lemon. The cherries work too, and their tartness cuts through a rich dressing.
4. Baking
Swap chocolate chips for chopped cherries or raisins in muffins, cakes and cookies. If your fruit is very firm, soak it in hot water for ten minutes first, then pat it dry so it doesn’t sink.
5. A quick apricot chutney
Simmer a cup of chopped apricots with a splash of vinegar, a little water, chilli flakes, a pinch of salt and some grated ginger until thick, about 15 minutes. It’s good with kebabs, parathas or cheese, and keeps in the fridge for a week.
6. Your own trail mix
Mix equal parts dried fruit and nuts: apricots, cherries and raisins with almonds and walnuts. Portion it into small jars for school, work or travel.
Keeping them fresh
Store dried fruit in an airtight container somewhere cool and dry, or in the fridge in hot weather.
Find them all in the shop: Dried Apricots, Dried Tart Cherries and Black Raisins. Shop dry fruits →