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Move Over Valentine's Chocolate...Rather than turn to the standard box of chocolates for your honey,
try a heart-healthy treat that’s both sweet and satisfying. Enter California
Raisins.  February is the American Heart Association’s heart healthy month,
and raisins are the perfect pantry staple to keep your heart pumping well into
your golden years. Loaded with potassium, raisins help lower blood pressure and
reduce the risk of heart disease. What’s more, raisins are a great source of
vitamin B6 and dietary fiber. Vitamin B6 helps prevent atherosclerosis by
assisting in the conversion of homocysteine, a molecule that can damage blood
vessel walls, into other, benign substances.
In honor of Heart Healthy Month and Valentine’s Day, try mixing up
some of these sweet and delectable recipes.
Heavenly Chocolate Dutch Cake
A decedent chocolate cake fit for every entertaining occasion.
Double Glazed Rum Raisin Chocolate Cake
A delightfully devilish treat made with devils food cake,
California raisins then layered twice with a vanilla chip glaze and chocolate
chip glaze!
Cherry Chocolate Raisin Towers
Even a brownie mix can go partying when dressed
up with raisins and a top hat of ice cream, drizzled with spirited
Cherry-Raisin Sauce. |
Chef Spot Light Nancy Oaks, Boulevard 
Boulevard, 1 Mission Street, San Francisco A
self-taught chef, Nancy Oakes earned the tremendous and much-deserved James
Beard Foundation Award in 2001 for "Best Chef in California." She has learned from some of the great culinary masters and is known as much for her love of food as she is for her attention to service. She believes that her diners need to be comforted by her food, as
well the surroundings and service. Prior to opening the Boulevard in 1993, she earned high praise at her
restaurant, L'Avenue, where she sustained a wonderful loyalty and intimacy with
her diners. This relationship continues
at the 145-seat Boulevard where she and her crew continue to cook "a la minute"
for each diner. According to Oakes,
"When you order a chicken, we actually cook it to order for you over the open
fire in our wood-burning oven. There
are no shortcuts!" Give Nancy Oaks' Pan Roasted Sea Scallops with Wilted Spinach, California Raisins and Pine Nuts a try!
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Turn Up The Heat!  Indian and Thai cuisine is known for hot, spicy and sensual dishes
that tantalize taste buds with unexpected flavors. At times, these spicy foods
can be too much for the untrained American palate. The good news: With
Americans' growing interest in global cuisine, the unique flavor of raisins is
jumping out of the box. California raisins can cool the fire in these foods
enhancing flavor and adding a touch of sweetness. From Moroccan and Indian to the more traditional Italian, French and American, raisins are enhancing both professional and home
chefs' culinary creations.
Tantalize your tastebuds with some of these ethnic dishes featuring California raisins.
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